[Elecraft] Re: When do you use fast AGC?

[zl1aih at ihug.co.nz]

Like Ron AC7AC , as a marine commercial op, I always used the RF 
gain control (no AGC) when running traffic on ships, but this is a 
totally different situation for example, if you are in a CW contest when 
signals in a pile-up vary from barely audible to ear-shattering.   Fast 
AGC is mandatory.
Can't comment on SSB - rarely use it, and never in contests.

Showing my bias - we have several IcoYaeWood radios in our Multi 
contest station, and they all have their advantages but the K2 has a 
bomb-proof receiver and does not de-sense the other radios with 
white noise, even when it's driving an amp to 500 watts ouput - no 
clicks, no spurs.   Only disadvantages are that it looks too small to be 
that good, and it moves if you push the buttons too hard.   
Only crazy contesters would think like that.

For casual operating, I would use fast AGC.    The only time I need to 
turn the K2 AGC off is to use a noise bridge.
73, Ken ZL1AIH