[Elecraft] K-3 Filters for DXing and contesting with Diversity Reception

[Michael M. Raskin]

Thanks for all the many helpful responses.  Since many out there might want 
to know what they were, I have compiled a consensus of the many replies I 
received.  I plan on using the K-3 for DXing and contesting (CW, SSB, and 
RTTY) and want to use diversity reception with two receive antennas on the 
low bands, and asked for recommendations.

Here's the consensus:
1)  Stock 2.7's in main and sub - unmatched since they are so wide that any 
offset wouldn't matter - only one went for the 2.8's
2)  1.8 in main for crowded SSB  during contest
3)  Pair of 500's in main and sub for CW - only a few said to match - most 
said split any offset - only a few opted for a pair of 400's
4)  250 in main only if you do RTTY contesting - no one recommend 250 for CW 
as curves are very similar to 400

Since the stock 2.7 comes with the K-3 and the sub, you only have to buy 4 
filters, the pair of 5-pole 500's and one each of the 8-pole 1.8 and 250. 
Quite a savings over buying 10 filters!  I should mention that the responses 
ranged the full gamut, with one ham saying he used only the stock 2.7 and 
relied on DSP, to another who had all 10 slots filled with pairs of 8-poles. 
Several mentioned that the 8-poles are not zero offset and can have offset 
as high as 80Hz.  That should make a difference unless you're looking at the 
250 or 400 filters.  One ham recommend a pair of matched 200 for weak 160 
sigs in the mud, but most of the other preferred the 500's with narrow DSP 
while one preferred the 250's.  Hope this is of some value to you.

Mike, W4UM
Florida Contest Group
South Florida DX Association
Mid-Florida DX Association