[Elecraft] AGC

[James R. Duffey]

Larry - I agree with you, this thread may have take more significance that
it deserves. But perhaps it is more relevant to the list than G5RV baluns?

As to your question of why turn the  AGC off?

I find the operation of a receiver much more pleasant without AGC. For
cruising the bands I use AGC when strong signals are present to preserve my
ears, but other than that I seldom use it. I find a "AGCless" receiver to
sound better. It has more audio dynamic range, a quieter noise floor, less
spurious thumps and clicks, and gives a true indication of the strength of
signals. Weak signals are weak, strong signals are strong.  The ear is
presented with an accurate representation of the signals with respect to the
noise. With reasonably strong signals and the AGC turned off, one can adjust
the AF and RF gain (attenuation) controls to achieve a nice sounding CW
signal with little if any background noise. It is almost like listening to a
code practice oscillator. This makes for a more pleasant listening
experience.

The AGC is introducing nonlinearity into the receiver. There are
circumstances when the introduced nonlinearity is unpleasant, or at least
not as pleasant as a receiver without AGC.

I run my K-1 with the AGC turned off all the time. I find that the receiver
is much more palatable this way.

Despite your request not to, I am posting this to the list, as I hope that
some others may find experimenting with turning off the AGC useful. ALso, my
mailer has trouble recognizing the unusual e-mail address you gave,
"bogus@stuffit.nul" as valid.  Is there an error in that address? Sorry if I
mucked it up onmy end.

As to rock and roll - recall that famous line from American Graffiti - Rock
and Roll has been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died. And it has
nothing to do with having one's eardrum's pounded by something.

Keep in touch. - Dr, Megacycle KK6MC/5
-- 
James R. Duffey KK6MC/5
Cedar Crest, NM   DM65