[CQ-Contest] Excessive Bandwidth Rule was: Re: Suggestion for Cabrillo --...

[Jim Brown]

On Sat,4/11/2015 3:11 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> However ... fixing key clicks is a much subtler, and yet more 
> difficult to fix problem than bad audio. 

Not necessarily. Many of the worst offending rigs have adjustable rise 
time. The fastest settings produce the worst clicks.

Also, we need to start considering rig cleanliness when making buying 
decisions. According to ARRL Lab tests, the cleanest rigs are the K3 and 
TS590D. The dirtiest are the Flex rigs, the IC7800, 7700, 7600, and the 
FTDX5000, FTDX3000. Since those tests, Yaesu issued a firmware update 
that significantly improved their keying, so that it's now on a par with 
Icom and Flex. A few weeks ago, Flex issued a software/firmware fix that 
improved their keying as well, but I haven't seen measurements that show 
the degree of improvement.

We need to TELL manufacturers that we want clean signals from their 
rigs, and that we will buy based on their performeance. Do that when 
you're in a booth at Dayton or Visalia!

73, Jim K9YC