[1000mp] MP vs MK-V vs K2 vs Etc.- Let's Roll

[1000mp@mailman.qth.net]

Ever since I upgraded from a Kenwood TS830S to a TS850 and now a FT1000MP
I feel that I am not getting the best receiver for my money.  In all
three, I had installed the INRAD filters (2.1 kHz) for both IF�s. 
Although the old ARRL Lab specs for the TS830 do not look great, it
seemed to be a better performing rig in contests.  Note, I only operate
SSB in contests.

So, I have some questions that have come to mind re the recent thread �
1000MP vs Mk-V vs K2.

1. Why can we not get the FT1000MP with a narrower roofing filter?  Is
there anyone on this list that really uses their FT1000MP to operate AM
and FM modes in contests or for DXing, or do serious general coverage
listening?  So, what will it take to get some narrower 70 MHz IF filters?
 Can INRAD supply them?  Is this the best �bang for the buck�
improvement?

2 (a)  Based on W8JI�s comments: �dual-gate FET right off the 70 MHz IF
just after the roofing filter, and it is by far the worse problem�.  Is
there some way to either replace this device with a better performer, or
as W7GT mentioned, �just turn it off�?  

(b) W8JI then stated that he has had success clamping G2 to ground.  Tom,
can you provide reasonable details so others can try this?  Has anyone
communicated with Dean Straw re clamping of G2, and how he did it?

3. (a) W8JI further stated �It would be easy to beat the K2, or improve
it�Just by changing the post-mixer amp, the numbers could increase 5dB. 
For about another $20 or so in cost, you could push IM3 and blocking up
another 10 or 15 dB.�  This all sounds great, where are the details? 
With the K2 as an owner-built project, it should be easier to modify as
you build it.  I am not opposed to buying some additional parts and
making the changes, if they really work.

(b) Is Elecraft working on adding these changes, or do we do it
ourselves?

(c) With Elecraft�s delay in getting the 100W amp module for the K2, I
had decided to not get one, instead hoping maybe they were going to come
out with a K3 model that would have the 100W built-in, some more receiver
filtering additions, 160-10M (maybe even 6M), antenna tuner, front-panel
variable AGC, and maybe an RF speech processor.  Since that is apparently
further-off, would the K2 receiver be improved if INRAD offered a 4.9 MHz
filter?

Conclusion:  Now, I�m not against spending several hundred more dollars
to upgrade the 1000MP, in lieu of buying another new rig just to find out
it is no better.  I am now accustomed to the features of the 1000MP and
would like to keep it, if it can be reasonably improved.  Or, if the K2
is really the rig I am looking for, then I�ll sell the 1000MP, and get
that.  I do not need general coverage receive, and can even get by
without the DSP circuits (for me, they add too much distortion).  And, it
may be that the new Ten-Tec Orion is the best performing receiver;
however, it may be next year before we know that.  I want to be ready for
the upcoming contest season starting in October.  I have a soldering iron
and tools, and have experience in modifying high-end audio and earlier
Kenwood (TS120, 430, 830) rigs, so I�m ready to make meaningful changes. 
I do not have the test equipment to verify mod improvements or the
theoretical knowledge of the circuits to decide which is the best route.

So what are we going to do, keep complaining about the sorry state of
modern receiver performance, or are we as users going to take some action
to make our own improvements.

73,
Henry Pollock - K4TMC
Raleigh, NC
k4tmc@juno.com
k4tmc@aol.com

P.S.  This is probably my first posting to this group, after being a
reader for several years.

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