[Elecraft] [K3] Noise Blanking, all-mode squelch- any strategies for settings?

[dmb at lightstream.net]

Arlen,

One thing to keep in mind regarding NB and NR is that only the NB can
actually (sometimes) reduce the noise floor to the point where you will be
able to hear weak signals that are far below the noise floor that you
would have when NB is NOT engaged. In other words, when engaged and
properly set for the offending noise, the NB --may-- actually drop the
noise floor to what it would be if the interfering noise were not there at
all.

So far, I've never heard any NR function reduce the actual noise floor.
Yes, it can make the noise a bit less annoying, but it will rarely, if
ever, enable you to copy a signal that you would otherwise be unable to
copy if NR were off.

All that said, the K3's Noise Blanker (NB) is the most effective NB that I
have ever used on any radio for the line noise racket that occasionally
threatens to infringe upon my ham radio time.

73, Dale
WA8SRA

> Greetings Elecrafters,
>
> I’m new to the K3 (and HF in general), and I’m trying to sort out how to
> get useful results from the Noise Blanking (NB) features.
>
> I’m looking for strategies, tips, techniques, etc. for selecting the
> settings for NB. With over 14,000 possible settings between the IF NB and
> the DSP NB (according to KE7X’s K3 book), I find myself getting
> overwhelmed and I give up on NB. Honestly, I can hear very little
> difference as I go through the various NB settings, so how am I suppose to
> choose the ‘right’ one?
>
> I operate SSB almost exclusively, and I don’t use all-mode squelch  - but
> I need to experiment with this. I’d appreciate hearing your take on
> squelch.
>
> What’s your secret recipe for picking NB settings that work?
>
> Thanks!
>
> 73, Arlen, AA7F
>
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