[Elecraft] Value of 500 and 200 hz roofing filters

[Kenneth A. Christiansen]

I live on a city lot with lots of electrical noise. For this reason good 
noise reduction features are important if I want to be on the air. The 
thing that made me order my K3 last summer was the fact that the noise 
blanker in the IC-746PRO would work just fine until a strong station 
such as W1AW would come on than 15 khz of the band would become 
worthless because W1AW would key the noise blanker on and off.

I bought my K3 with the 500 hz filter and noticed with the noise blanker 
on and the 2.7 khz filter I saw a less serious problem similar to the 
one in my 746 pro over the 2.7 khz of the filter. If I went to the 500 
hz filter the problem only covered 500 hz. I ordered the 200 hz filter 
and now can get to within 200 hz of W1AW with the noise blanker on 
before I see the problem. I feel this is wonderful and sure makes it 
possible for me to have many more QSOs. If I do not need to run the 
noise blanker than I do not see the problem even with the 2.7 khz 
filter. My Hy-Gain Hy-Tower always got out well for me but I could not 
use it most of the time due to the high noise level. Now with the K3, 
the two noise blankers, the noise reduction and the 50 hz IF DSP filter 
plus the 500hz and 200 hz roofing filters I feel as though I am getting 
the use out of the Hy-Tower that I had always wanted. I also set the 
pitch on the K3 to 300 hz to get maximum help from my ears.

I just thought I would pass this along as several people have asked 
about the narrow roofing filters and if there is line noise involved I 
feel it makes a big difference.
73

Ken  W0CZ