[DX] What am I missing here?

[John Geiger]

I AM CONFUSED!!

This all started a couple of weeks ago when someone
posted a rig for sale, and showed that its receiver
numbers were comparable to the OMNI VI+. I dont
remember what kind of radio it was, but it would not
generally be considered on par with the OMNI VI+.  So
I went to the QST review of the OMNI VI+ and checked
the numbers.  They were correct.  So I did some more
checking on the ARRL website. I am looking at the "big
3" for receiver numbers-the blocking DR, the
3RDIMD,and 3rd order intercept. The omni vi+ is
generally considered to be one of the best receivers
out there today, but its numbers are pathetic compared
to the OMNI V, and the Paragon.  I also looked at the
Icom 756PROMKII.  Its numbers are worse than the
original 756, and alot worse that the 765 or 761.  Yet
everyone who uses one on a dxpedition runs out and
buys two of them.

The same happens with other brands.  THe TS870 and
TS2000 have numbers behind the TS850.  The OMNI VI+ is
also far behind the 765, 761, and TS850.  The 756PROII
actually worse in some numbers as compared to the
756PRO.

SO WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?  How do receivers get
better when their specs get worse?  The noise floor is
comparable on these rigs, so they are not getting
significantly more sensitive.  True, some of the newer
ones have DSP and more toys, but you first have to be
able to hear it to impliment most of the toys.  I own
a TS2000, and its DSP and digital filters work nicely.
 Still, I wish it had better receiver specs that it
does, and that sometimes shows up in contesting and
dxing.  Being an avid VHF/UHFer as well as DXer and
contestor, it is nice to have it all in one box, and I
don't have the funds currently to replace it with a
761 or TS850, with transverters for 6,2 and 432, as
well as amps for each band, and some sort of DSP box. 
That would be a nice set up, though.

73S John NE0P

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