[Elecraft] Ham bands vs GC receive

[Bill W5WVO]

I'm still not clear on the general-coverage receive option -- if it is indeed "optional" or available by default in a minimally configured radio. What exactly is the "general coverage filter" and why is it necessary? Is the GC receive path a separate one from the ham bands path (maybe an up-conversion IF path?), thus requiring its own filter? If so, what are the characteristics of the GC filter (IF frequency, poles, bandwidth)? Is this the only filter installable for GC receive?

Bill / W5WVO