[Elecraft] K3: New (Jan 2009) ARRL review

[Toby Deinhardt]

> Careful reading of the review will reveal that the particular 
> 1.8 KHz filter was probably defective.  Elecraft run much 
> higher signal levels in the first IF filter than other radios. 
> That higher signal level can cause filter generated IMD if the 
> crystals are not absolutely clean.  

I've had two sets of filters (2x 2.1kHz and 2x 1.8kHz) and all four 
filters showed more or less similar dynamic performance to what the ARRL 
has seen. My filter setup is as follows: FM, 2700, 2100, 1800, 400 in 
the main RX and in the KRX3 6000, 2700, 2100, 1800, 400.

I agree with you about the possible cause and I do know that Elecraft 
has been working hard on improving this, but all four of these filters 
did not prove to be terribly detrimental in any of the shortwave SSB 
contests my K3 has been used in or during the pile ups when it was with 
us on the Faeroe Islands (OY).

To use German expression: Lets leave the church in the village. In other 
words, there is no need for storm in a tea glass.

While the dynamic range is not as good as one might want, these filters 
are still very good for fishing out a weak one, stuck between two big guns.

vy 73 de toby