[Elecraft] XV144 state of the art or ... Test of the Large Signal Behaviour of some 144 MHz Radios?

[pa5mw at home.nl]

Hello Samir & All,

I'm also puzzled about their test results. But I'm sure it is very difficult to compare apples with apples in such an environment. I'm afraid that some setups (HF+transverter  or 144Mhz trnscvr) simply have not been used to their full RX potential. And what is measured on the bench can be totally different on the air.

It is very difficult to perform such a comparison in terms of objectivity.
What is their goal?  Showing static RX specifications based upon a sigle test setup?
NO, their first goal was to determine the **amount of TX noise** being produced by a few choosen combo's or transceivers. Only to show that many should be avoided during contesting for TX.
The measured specs found for RX do NOT determine whether you hear or do not hear the DX  or make the contact in contest (different situations again).

I have performed numerous MDS tests, using a Marconi signal generator. After some years now I'm more focussing on real-life situations.
My experiences are that the K2 performs exceptional in this case.
 
I strongly suggest you all do the same. Forget about the numbers go listen on the band while comparing brand A to brand B.   

Do you hear the dx yes/no ??
And even better: can you complete the contact yes/no ??

In the end that is what matters in practise.
Have fun.

73 Mark , PA5MW


---- Samir Popaja <Samir.Popaja at impact-europe.se> schrijft: 
> Hello,
> 
> Taken from, the http://www.df9ic.de/tech/trxtest/trxtest.html 
> 
> "The Elecraft K2 also has a low IF design using conventional VCOs which should result in a good LO noise supression but does not. You may compare the ARRL test results of the LO noise that Elecraft publishes on their own website and which is closely within our blocking test result (our measured -95 dB RX blocking in 20 kHz offset is equivalent to -129 dBc/Hz LO noise). The high level of TX noise shows that there seem to be design flaws choosing too low signal levels internally. The AGC threshold is ridiculously high (subjective impression). I also do not understand why it uses low quality ladder crystal filters instead of a filter from monolithic duals like any other radio does. Overall it was the worst HF radio in the test (OK, a 144 MHz IC910H is still worse...)."
> 
> Is the K2 + XV144 really bad combo or the others transverters are much better?
> 
> 73' SM7VZX
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