[Elecraft] [K3] need help with hiss on ssb receive

[Buck k4ia]

Reduce your RF gain,  Use the attenuator on the lower bands.

The reason it is the same with the AGC on or off is because with AGC off 
the receiver is running full bore amplifying all the background noise. 
You must reduce your RF gain until the background noise (hiss) goes away 
so the signal you want to hear will be just above the silence.  Then, 
set the AGC controls to the defaults or follow some of the other 
suggestions on this list.

Buck
k4ia
K3 # 101  KX3 #715

On 11/23/2012 11:00 PM, Mike Rodgers wrote:
> I've been putting up with this hiss on receive for two years. Others have complained as well. It sounds like a rushing wind. Kinda like old cassette tape hiss. It's the dirty little secret no one wants to talk about and the first thing that comes up on other forums when you mention k3. The most common being "tiring to listen to.
>
> I think I've got it the best it can be but I'm looking for tips to make it better.
> It keeps me from listening wide. Any hi cut above 2400 starts to irritate me so that limits me to a width of 2.1!
>
> Others complain on LSB but to me it seems more noticeable on USB where I hang out.
>
> It's a two year old k3 #5047 running latest firmware (not the beta).
> It's not Agc related as its the same with agc off.
>
> I feel I have a very aggressive negative eq as follows.
>
> 0.  0.  0.  -3.  -3.  -12.  -12/16.  -16
>
> I love the rig except for this. I'm not planning to sell it but I would like to make it better if possible.
> Right now I'm stuck at a width of 2.1 because of this. Am I doomed to just get used to it? I can filter it out with a kenwood speaker with filters but that's really just doing the same as reducing hi cut or bandwidth.
>
> Any ideas welcomed.
>
> Thanks and 73
> Mike R
>
>
>
> Play me some fiddle, but no stinkin' violin!
>
> Amateur/Ham Radio KE5GBC
> HF & Echolink mobile
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