[Elecraft] Chasing the numbers

[Don Wilhelm]

Gary,

Those better numbers will allow you to copy weaker signals than a 
receiver with a poorer numbers.
So there is something to it other than just chasing numbers.
Will the average ragchewing ham notice a difference - maybe, but that is 
not the type who typically dig for weak signals.  The DXer, the 
contester, and many QRP hams will dig for those weak ones,

73,
Don W3FPR

Gary D Krause wrote:
> Since the K3 is at the top of the list now and the K2 isn't far 
> behind, I've been wondering how the numbers really affect what we 
> hear.  If a ham were to sit down in front of all the top rigs, blind 
> folded and not allowed to touch them, would he or she be able to pick 
> out the one with the best receiver by just using his or her ears?  
> Lets assume that this ham has good hearing and that every rig is set 
> the same.  I realize that people have different reasons for picking a 
> rig and that it isn't always based on lab tests otherwise we would all 
> own the same rig assuming money is not a factor :-)  But is there 
> really a difference in the lab numbers as close as they are or are we 
> just chasing numbers?
>