[Elecraft] KX3 AGC tip for CW with wide RX filter: Try reducing AGC attack time

[Wayne Burdick]

I like tuning uncrowded CW segments in a wide receive filter passband--say 2.4 kHz. 

I recently (10 minutes ago!) discovered that I prefer the sound of this wide passband with MENU:AGC ATK set to 207 instead of 215 (the default value). It may be the particular quality of the noise on 40 meters tonight. Not sure. But this slightly slower attack time creates a warmer sound with fewer fast transients on noise peaks.

To change the attack time:

- hold MENU
- using VFO B, select the AGC THR menu entry 
- tap the '2' switch [ATTN] to change the name of the menu entry to AGC ATK
  (this is one of several AGC parameters -- see menu listings)
- set the attack parameter to 207 (or experiment a bit) using VFO A
- tap DISP to exit the menu

Again, you may not notice any difference unless you're on a pretty noisy band using a wide filter setting. The change has little effect in SSB or other modes, which have a different attack characteristic generally.

With the attack set to this lower value, it's possible that extremely strong signals might create a slight overshoot when they hit the receiver. Or not. 

I'd be interested in others' opinion of this change. If the response is extremely positive, we might consider reducing the default value.

73,
Wayne
N6KR