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eHam Forums => QRP => Topic started by: KC0W on December 20, 2022, 09:11:04 PM

Title: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: KC0W on December 20, 2022, 09:11:04 PM
 Title says it all.

 I'm experiencing low audio output on CW with a KX3. I have tried several different headphones all with the same results. Volume knob is cranked all the way up to "60". I've even resorted to engaging the Preamplifier to gain a little more audio volume but this is not a good workaround. When switching to DIGI and tuning to FT8 frequencies to compare audio strength my ears are nearly blown off due to how loud the FT8 audio is. No menus have been changed on the radio to cause this abnormality. The receive EQ settings have not been altered either.   

                                                                                   Tom KH0/KC0W   
Title: Re: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: K6SDW on December 20, 2022, 10:46:36 PM
I've had my KX3 fer 8 years and haven't noticed your issue, I have lots of volume into headphones...I would definitely pose your question to the Elecraft forum and I'm sure some wizard will have some suggestions that may help....the forum is well run. My first thought is the headphone jack needs cleaning or replacing? I'm a big fan of Detoxit for cleaning connections.

Let us know what you found to be the problem for future reference.

GL/73
Title: Re: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: KC0W on December 21, 2022, 03:28:41 PM
 Thanks for the suggestion but unfortunately I'm probably 6,000 miles away from the nearest can of Detoxit. Something as simple as a PL-259 is not even available here. It's still a mystery why FT8 audio is ear bleeding loud while CW audio is that of a gnats heartbeat. There is no scratching noise commonly associated with a dirty potentiometer or a bad/dirty headphone jack.............If anyone else has any suggestions I'm all ears. (so to say)


                                                                                   Tom KH0/KC0W       
Title: Re: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: WA3SKN on December 22, 2022, 09:33:37 AM
It sounds like you have a bad connection.  Do you have an ohmmeter available?  The coil in the headset should not have much DC resistance.  Audio levels might be measured by an AC voltmeter.

-Mike.
Title: Re: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: WA3SKN on December 22, 2022, 09:58:14 AM
I see there are headset options in the menu... you might want to review those also.

-Mike.
Title: Re: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: KU3X on December 24, 2022, 05:44:27 AM
Are you talking about CW receive audio or side tone audio?
If it's side tone audio, that's adjustable in the menu.
Barry
Title: Re: Low CW Audio Output into Headphones on KX3
Post by: KC0W on December 28, 2022, 10:52:29 PM
 It's the CW receive audio. The headphone jack isn't dirty because if it was tuning to FT8 signals wouldn't blow my ears out. This is a frustrating abnormality.

                                                                 Tom KH0/KC0W