[ARC5] S+N/N ratio results - wet filter

[Geoff]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Cromwell" <wrcromwell at gmail.com>
To: <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 8:17 AM
Subject: Re: [ARC5] S+N/N ratio results - wet filter


> Hi,
>
> Some unmentioned details about the wet filters from "the good old days". I 
> have told other hams on other lists that the "grey filter" on the air 
> works the same way it does in a popular, crowded restaurant. We listen to 
> one voice and one conversation while totally immersed in dozens of  other, 
> nearby voices. By the way...there is a limit to how much of that we can do 
> and it varies day to day and even hour to hour. The extreme 
> example...we're unlikely to notice a gnat belch in a hurricane. The term 
> 'rotten QRM' is not something new.
>
> It's especially easy to sort out the one voice in the crowd when it's our 
> sweetheart doing the talking (grin). So the grey filter uses all of the 
> "data" available to do it's job. Today most of the transmitters are pretty 
> much sterile and so is the CW being sent by microprocessors. In the good 
> old days a lot (most? (all?)) of the transmitters had what can be called 
> "character". Add to the transmitters' character the different 'voices' of 
> the fists keying them. One that stands out in my mind was WB8MTD in the 
> 80's on QMN. One dit and we knew it was him. There was no chirp and no 
> identifiable hum on his signal but his transmitter's voice was 
> dramatically *different*. It was a much easier proposition to even learn 
> how to sort the signals by ear than it is to apply the already 'trained' 
> grey filter now. Lucky for us there aren't as many signals on the air 
> these days - except contest weekends - for whatever reason.
>
> Using narrow filters, especially if there is any trace of ringing, is 
> fatiguing. I run filtering to help lift very weak signals out of the noise 
> and for that they are invaluable. Most of the time during the week I just 
> use the SSB or AM filters even on CW. It's more pleasant. I can hear 
> what's happening on a small chunk of the band while I'm working on other 
> things. I like Ken's "grey spectrum analyzer" concept.
>
> 73,
>
> Bill  KU8H
>


My hamming started in 1955 with a HB regen, then a BC-454 and 455. It soon 
became very clear I was missing a lot buried in QRM and noise no matter how 
good my hearing was.
Next step was a HQ-129X which opened up a new world as well as the 15M 
Novice band in the last few months of its span. When I got the General I was 
hooked on DX and spent hours on 40M and up and realized I was still missing 
a lot so a BC-453 was added and a few months later a Heath QF-1. I made DXCC 
with that before joining the USN in Oct 59.

When I bought a one year old Drake 2B and 2BQ in late 63 I found a new world 
of DX until its overload susceptability (on a good antenna) and crappy audio 
took its toll. Then that 75A4 that Ive mentioned many times entered my life 
and everything from there was centered in selectivity options, overload 
handling, quality headphone audio, excellent AGC, etc.

Wih close to 300 DXCC on 160 (my ability to dig well into the noise is 
"legendary"), over it on 80 and most other HF bands I decided to get into 
boatanchors.
It took 2 1/2 years to confirm 80M DXCC with a PP 211 oscillator and various 
1938-48 receivers and relearning some of those ancient skills with less than 
stellar radios by todays standards. Those included a HQ-129X, NC-240D, 
NC-183, SX-17 and SX-28 at various times; certainly not entry level in their 
day and a PITA to get used to considering I didnt pick an easy band for 
DXing. One thing I refused to do is revert back to a straight key or bug and 
the trusty old Kansas City Keyer Ive had for decades is used; I have 3 of 
them plus a Halli TO and a MFJ Grandmaster.

Ive also been using a 1934 National FB-XA and a 1938 Meissner Signal Shifter 
for QRP on 30M which certainly adds to the frustration level at times. Since 
I dont have the patience for long drawn out CW ragchews it is a tolerable 
combination most of the time.

Other than a pair of already modified BC-453's used with the vintage 
receivers all my other ARC-5 RX and TX are mint originals, some still NIB, 
and with no interest in using. An ATC does get used at times with a BC-312 
on AM and Ive a few 50's era mil gear.

Carl