[Elecraft] K3 10-meter sensitivity

[ab2tc]

I have the same experience. *Without* the preamp the K3 sensitivity is
excellent but turning the preamp on, the improvement in sensitivity is
disappointing, in my case as little as 3dB (for 11dB more gain). My K3 has
also been back to the factory (primarily for mods), and came back with the
statement that it meet specs.

I wonder if others have toyed with the idea of replacing the K3 preamp with
a broadband low noise preamp with 11dB gain. I want it in *place* of the K3
preamp so that it will be behind the RF BP filters and thus protected. An
outboard preamp in the RX antenna loop is not an option since it would have
to be band selected in order to retain good IM. A small well shielded unit
should be possible to wire in with a few trace cuts on the main circuit
board. With a 1-2dB NF we should be able to lower the MDS by close to 10dB
relative to what the typical K3 preamp provides (they seem to vary a bit)



Tony - KM0O wrote:
> 
> Yesterday, in the 10-meter contest, I noticed that some other stations
> (using comparable antennas) within a very few miles of me were working
> stations that I could barely detect, or not even hear, on my K3. In
> i<snip>
> 73,
> Tony
> KM0O
> 


-----
AB2TC - Knut
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