Specifications

15
Voice Modes (SSB, AM, FM)
Basic Voice-Mode Setup
To avoid transmitting a signal during voice-
mode setup, you can set PWR to 0.0 watts.
! Choose a mode: Tap MODE to select
LSB/USB, AM, or FM mode. In SSB modes,
ALT alternates between LSB and USB.
! Hold MON to set the voice monitor level.
High MON settings may result in audio
clipping or distortion. Start with 3 to 5.
! Tap CMP and set it to 0 using the knob above.
Tap it again to exit the CMP display.
! Enable transmit: Tap XMIT or hold in the
mic’s PTT switch. Note: Hand mics like the
Elecraft MH3 should nearly touch your mouth
when you are speaking (about 1/8” [3 mm]).
! Adjust mic gain level: While speaking into the
mic, adjust KEYER/MIC (mic gain). This
will turn on the transmit CMP and ALC bar
graphs. While speaking, adjust mic gain for
about 5 ALC bars (see below). Mic gain for
the Elecraft MH3 is typically 15-25.
! Speech compression (optional): To use speech
compression, tap CMP and adjust the level
using the knob above the switch. While you’re
speaking, the CMP scale (see above), shows
compression level. High CMP settings may
result in distortion. Start with 1 to 10.
! Set the power level: Exit transmit mode and
adjust PWR to the desired output level.
Do not use MIC gain to set power level. Set
mic gain to a fixed level as described above.
Voice Mode VOX Setup
VOX selects push-to-talk (PTT) or voice-operated
(VOX) transmit (VOX icon on). VOX hold time is
set with DLY (pg. 14).
MENU:VOX GN (VOX gain) should be set to
trigger at normal speech level, but not in response
to incidental noise. Start with low settings (10-20).
MENU:VOX INH (VOX inhibit, or anti-vox) can
prevent speaker audio from triggering VOX.
Transmit Metering in Voice Modes
Normally, the SWR/RF bar graph is active during
transmit in all modes. In voice modes, you can
switch to the CMP / ALC bar graphs by tapping
KEYER/MIC. This also occurs automatically if
you adjust mic gain or speech compression level.
FM Operation
If you don’t use FM mode, you can disable it
by setting MENU:FM MODE to OFF.
To setup for repeater use:
! Hold ALT one or more times to select simplex,
TX up (+ icon), or TX down (- icon). If an
offset is in effect, REV swaps RX/TX
frequencies and offset direction.
! Set up the required repeater offset using
MENU:RPT OFS.
! Select a coarse VFO step size for FM mode
using MENU:VFO CRS.
! If PL tone encode is required, hold PITCH to
turn it on, and rotate the knob above this switch
to select the tone frequency. Hold PITCH again
to turn PL tone encode off. When tone encode
is on, a T appears in the mode icon area.
! To change the FM deviation level for voice and
PL tones, see MENU:FM DEV.
! Squelch: Tap AF / RF- SQL, then rotate the
knob to select the desired squelch threshold. (In
all other modes, the alternate knob function is
RF gain.) Tap the knob again to return to the
AF gain function.
AM Operation
AM receive on the KX3 uses traditional envelope
detection. You can also listen to AM signals using
LSB or USB modes, which may provide better copy
during fading conditions.
During AM transmit, it is normal for the RF bar
graph to indicate about one-third to one-half the
power level set by the power control. Transmit
efficiency is much lower in AM mode than SSB as
discussed on pg. 10.
To disable AM mode, set MENU:AM MODE
to OFF.