[Elecraft] K3 and CQWW @ W8JI's

[Ralph K1ZZI]

I had the pleasure of operating SOSB 80m @ W8JI's.  We had a complex matrix of phased Beverages hooked up to his K3 in diversity mode.  Typically I had one Beverage locked on EU and the other ear would scan other Beverages.  When the JA path opened up I had two separate Beverages listening NW.  The first time you hear this your jaw drops.  The noise floor was so low I could hear a pin drop.  JL1TS called in running 5 watts (yes on 80m with wall to wall signals) and I counted 112 JA stations worked during our first sunrise. 

I normally run a FT-1000MP MKV and I have used W8JI's MKV's at his QTH in the past.  What struck me immediately with the K3 was how quite it was with wall to wall LOUD stations.  There was no IMD or junk noise going on that is always present on the MKV (with INRAD roofing filter) during a contest.  I put the K3 in Passband mode (PB) and cranked about 450hz in on the filter.  Working up the band S&P was like using a laser.  I couldn't believe it.  I never recall a problem pulling out a DX station.  Like picking apples off a tree.  What a pleasure.    

Occasionally I experience something strange that I can't explain with the sub RX (right ear).  Sometimes right after xmit I could hear clear CW signals in the sub RX.  I though someone was jumping onto my QRG.  I used the RIT after each CQ.  As soon as I touched the RIT the signal cleared.  I told the first 3 ghosts to QSY before I realized it was a ghost signal.  It cleared as soon as I turned the RIT.  I was talking to myself which happens enough without my radio.  Sometimes when transmitting I could hear CW signals in the sub RX during the exchange. If anyone can offer an explanation I would be interested to hear it.  Tom thought it might have something to do with PB mode but that discussion was after the contest so I didn't get a chance to try it with the PB off.

Ralph K1ZZI

Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 03:31:20 -0800 (PST)
From: G3MLO <peter at g3mlo.fsnet.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 and CQWW
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: <1228131080952-1598309.post at n2.nabble.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii




Berni G0IDA wrote:
> 
> Dear members of the K3,
> 
> I just wanted to start a thread for those of you who used a K3 in CQWW, 
> to ask of your experiences during the contest using the K3, the set-up 
> you had and to see if we worked other K3 members.
> 
> 
> The K3 performed flawlessly (well done Elecraft) 
> 
> 
> 73's
> 
> Berni
> G0IDA
> 
> I am not a contest op just like to give points and get involved and of
> course
> see how well the K3 would perform.
> Main band was 40 and I had the chance to see how well the 250 c/s filter 
> coped with the high level of activity......all I can say exceptional
> performance,
> well worth the cost of this filter, I have also been impressed with the K3
> on 
> 160, it is by far the best receiver I have used in over 50 year in the
> hobby.
> My thanks to the excellent team at Elecraft for producing what is now the
> "Bench Mark Transceiver"
> 73 Peter G3MLO
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