[Elecraft] K3 and noise

[Gary NL7Y]

Hello Ron W3ZV. New owner of K3 2324 here. Noise at my QTH is local (lights,
powerlines, electrical demand) that runs S5-9+ on SSB, depending upon time
of day. It's more on AM, less on CW/Data modes. And that's on everything
from my 160-L , 80 dipoles, to 3-El Steppir beam. Depending upon band, the
K3 takes it at least 2-3 S units down via the dual NB's, and substantially
improves the signal selectivity with the NR. I also use a Wellbrook loop for
receive, which really helps with eliminating local stuff by 2-4 S units
depending upon the source.

I set my IF NB to 1-6, and the DSP NB to 1-6 or 2-6. Check for fidelity on
SSB and CW. The NR works for me at 1-1/2 or 2-1/2. Narrow filters are
better, and the NB's settings can vary by band.

I would be concerned about your S2-3 w/o the antenna connected. If removing
the antenna does not quell the noise to S0, then I suggest you have
common-mode RF ingress from either your power supply, house wiring, or
whatever else your K3 is connected to. See Jim K9AY's article on how to deal
with this noise: http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf. I did and it
worked for me. I used Fair-Rite Type 31 beads on every cable and coax in the
shack. I also used a Tripp-Lite Ultra power conditioner on the 120V feeds,
and ferrite beads on the 240V for the ACOM amp. Two to three S units of
noise were lost via the common-mode suppression described.

73 and Merry Christmas from Santa Land
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