[Elecraft] K3 and noise

[Ron Kenwood]

I have a continuous S7 to S8 noise level at normal SSB bandwidths. If I 
had to describe the noise, I would say it sounds like amplified 
background band noise. The source is outside my house. Removing the 
antenna drops it to S2-3. It decreases slightly at 15 meters and higher. 
I have been trying all possible combinations of IF and DSP noise 
blanking. About the best I can do is to reduce an S7 with a blinking S8 
bar to a steady S7. If I don't look at the S meter and try to discern a 
difference in signal intelligibility, I can't really hear any.

I have read glowing reports on the effectiveness of the noise blanker, 
here and elsewhere. I am wondering if the type of noise is part of the 
equation, and I just have a type of noise where the noise blanker is 
less effective, or am I doing something wrong, or do I just have 
unreasonable expectations?

Any suggestions?

My next step will be one of the noise canceling gadgets, if I can't 
improve the K3's noise performance.

Happy Holidays

Ron W3ZV