[Elecraft] Chasing the numbers

[Darrell Bellerive]

Keith,

I would be interested in reading about your observations on the differences 
between receivers. Please consider posting them to the reflector.

Darrell



On Thursday 28 February 2008 09:01, you wrote:
> I've done this, or as close to it as I can get.  Yes, there is a big
> difference.
>
> I hook up 2 rigs to the same antenna and then feed their audio outputs
> (speaker outs) into a mixing board.  I adjust the audio to give the best
> S/N ratio on the rig and then trim each channel on the mixer to get both
> rigs at the same level in the headphones.  I can then listen to one rig
> or the other (or one in each ear) by just sliding volume faders up and
> down or hitting a mute button.  In this way, I'm using the same antenna,
> tuning the same signal at the same time and listening on the same
> headphones.  The only difference is the rig itself.
>
> I've done this test with various combinations of R4A, 2B, IC-735,
> TS-830s, TenTec Omni V, K1 and K2.
>
> What I've found is that the differences between rigs are shown more
> clearly with this sort of rapid A/B testing.  You can really hear the
> differences in AGC action, IF passband width, frequency response,
> distortion levels and general grunge or harsh sound.  There really is a
> difference.  No, we are not just chasing numbers.
>
> - Keith N1AS -
> - K2 5411.ssb.100 -
> - K3 Wave 3 -
>
> -----Original Message-----
> 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?
> ... is there really a difference in the lab numbers as close as they are
> or are we just chasing numbers?
>
> Gary,
> N7HTS
> _______________________________________________

-- 
Darrell Bellerive
Amateur Radio Stations VA7TO and VE7CLA
Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada