[Elecraft] Query for new DSP features

[Erik Basilier]

The noise level at my QTH is not nearly as bad as many of you have. The K3 S-meter tends to read around S4 on the background noise noise (SSB bandwidth, 20m preamp off, atten off). When it comes to engaging NR, like many others I have in the past tended to crank up the aggressiveness etc and noted a loss of apparent volume on the wanted signal, and apparent loss of the higher frequency voice components. I have compensated by cranking up the volume and widening the passband (which helped little as the received station had insufficient boost of highs). I have admired the apparently better results from other DSP implementations such as BHI and other radios. Lately I have modified my approach to using the K3 DSP, and found much better results. For ssb I now have NR engaged full time and like it. The setting is the least aggressive possible: F1-1. I used to have the impression that this setting did little to help, but I have changed my opinion. The sound with this weak NR on now seems very normal and comfortably intelligible. If I turn NR off, I can still read the signal, but it sounds harsh and tiring. I can't say the NR makes an unreadable signal readable, but it makes the copy more comfortable. My old brain seems to, slowly, adjust its own filtering to fit what is being heard, not just to focus on the wanted cw signal in a wider passband, but also when listening to voice when switching between NR on/off. This may be just my speculation, but subjectively, even with no radio involved, I seem to need an adjustment period also when listening to different adult voices, and especially when going between an adult voice and that of a small child. The existing K3 DSP seems to be optimized based on objectively measurable criteria that are somewhat at odds with the strange workings of the human auditory system. Perhaps the addition of a tone control that alters the low/high tonal balance would be a helpful new resource for those who feel the NR makes signals sound weak or too bassy. The tone control setting could be automatically engaged with an emphasis on the highs when NR is engaged. It could also be helpful as a manual control for adapting to stations that have not adjusted their transmit equalizer to fit the operator's voice. Besides a low/high tilt, a peak/notch function might be helpful.
73,
Erik K7TV

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Walter Underwood
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2019 9:21 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Query for new DSP features

Sorry, KX3. Though I think the K3 and KX2 use similar algorithms.

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Jan 11, 2019, at 8:53 PM, John Evans <john.evans.n0hj at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> And yet, I have no idea which Elecraft rig you are referring to here.  Drives us K1, K2, KX3 owners crazy.
> 
> 73 - john - n0hj
> 
> On 1/11/2019 9:49 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> It would be really great if the AF gain was automatically to keep the audio roughly level when NR is engaged. This drives me nuts, always riding the gain back and forth. I’m sure the gain adjustment would be different for different conditions, but at least get close.
>> 
>> wunder
>> K6WRU
>> Walter Underwood
>> CM87wj
>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>> 
>>> On Jan 11, 2019, at 8:38 PM, Mike Lichtman via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Wayne,
>>>    I would like to see an improved Noise Reduction that doesn’t 
>>> lower the volume or distort as much. Also the digital mode decode has never really worked well for me and, yes, I read the manual about using it. Could you have the digital choices RTTY, PSK31, etc. instead of the current settings like FSK, data, etc?
>>> Pie in the sky thought — Having the radio identify the type of 
>>> digital signal being received with a word in the display and 
>>> automatically change modes/settings to accommodate it.  73 Mike 
>>> KF6KXG
> 
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