[Elecraft] K3 shortened dits - you can remedy this under N1MM+

[Barry Simpson]

I beg to differ.

I have an original K3 dating from 2009 which I completely updated including the synthesisers. It made no difference to the shortened character issue which is still the same. 

It is there both in QSK and semi break in modes but does not occur if transmit switching is manual only, eg a foot switch with VOX turned off. 

I use mainly Idiom Press keyers and I have always compensated by setting the weight to around 54.

I am surprised that this issue has only surfaced again now and received such widespread comment and acknowledgement that it exists. I raised it in a post several years ago but I was unable to attract any response.

Kenwood does not have such an issue with any of their rigs including the TS890 which I own nor does my Ten Tec Orion 2. Of course all Icoms are awfully shortened in QSK but not so much in semi break in.

Barry VK2BJ 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 8 Dec 2020, at 06:03, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> The approximately 6 ms of dit shortening represents 10% of the
> dit length at 20 WPM.  It gets progressively worse as the speed
> increases (20% at 40 WPM, 30% at 60 WPM, etc.).
> 
> Note: this only applies to K3 models that do not have the
> upgraded synthesizer.
> 
> For an unmodified K3 the solution(s) are:
> 
> 1) turn on CW QRQ (and lose RIT/XIT/split)
> 2) Upgrade to the new synthesizer (x2 if sub RX is installed)
> 3) Use an external WinKeyer with dit compensation at 6 ms.
> 
> 73,
> 
>   ... Joe, W4TV
> 
> 
>> On 2020-12-07 8:47 AM, Dave Fugleberg wrote:
>> Does this become apparent only above a certain speed? I'm guessing it's not
>> as big an issue below 30wpm or so, but would be good to know.
>>> On Sun, Dec 6, 2020 at 10:23 PM <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
>>> I have never heard of this issue until your post. In DX contests, dits
>>> sometimes disappear so we certainly to done want wimpy dits!  Does this
>>> issue also exist with the K3S? Is there a similar solution for those of us
>>> that use Writelog?
>>> 
>>> John KK9A
>>> 
>>> Dave Hachadorian K6LL wrote:
>>> 
>>> I found out today that there is another way to change weight under N1MM -
>>> config/ports/other tab/weight.
>>> 
>>> I wonder how many people do not realize that K3's  lighten CW keying
>>> applied
>>> 
>>> through the KEY jack, and that their dits are wimpy?  I operated that way
>>> for 12 years, until W3LPL told me about it yesterday.  The K3 monitor
>>> sounds
>>> 
>>> normal.
>>> 
>>> Life is too short for wimpy dits!
>>> 
>>> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
>>> Yuma, AZ
>>> 
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