[Elecraft] A/B Receiver Evaluation

[Ed Muns]

With the KXV3 option in the K3, it is very easy to do real-time receiver
comparison testing between the K3 and brand X.

1.  Connect the antenna to the K3 ANT1 (or, ANT2) jack.

2.  Connect a coax between RX OUT on the K3 and the RX ANT IN on the brand
X.  (If brand X does not have a RX ANT IN feature, you could use the main
antenna jack if you can guarantee that there is no way brand X can go into
transmit and fry the K3.)

3.  Enable the RX antenna input on brand X.

4.  Connect stereo headphones such that one channel is on the K3 and the
other side on brand X.

5.  Tune both receivers to the same frequency.

6.  Toggle the RX ANT button on the K3 to switch the antenna between the two
receivers with the audio tracking between the two stereo channels.

Yes, this could also be done with an external coax switch, but using the
arrangement above, the two radios can be operational in a normal way with no
re-cabling from your normal setup.  In a typical SO2R station, all that
would be required is to perform steps 3, 5 and 6 any time you want to
compare.  Of course, you give up the RX antenna feature on brand X during
SO2R, to have this capability.

I've been using this technique for a couple months now and it really
highlights the differences between the K3 and other receivers.  Even the
background band noise sounds so much better in the K3.  It is bright, crisp
and clear.  The K3 gives much higher confidence that you are "hearing
better".  The other receivers have various degrees of a kind of rushing or
roaring sound from the band noise, just kind of all mushed up.

73,
Ed - W0YK