[Elecraft] [K3] Diversity receive with limited space and RX Antennas

[K2MK]

Hi Jason:

Try a less expense approach first. If you don't already have it, add the 
KXV3A, I/O module, for $110 that will permit you to use a separate receive 
antenna on your main RX. If you like the performance of your receive antenna 
then you will be in a better position to determine, on your own, if 
diversity receive will be beneficial or not. And even if you do get the sub 
RX, the KXV3 is still highly useful for those times when you want to use 
your RX antenna on the main RX.

73,
Mike K2MK


AC7JW
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:31:08 -0800

Greetings;
I've researched the posts on this board regarding diversity receive in
general, but have not found much information regarding the benefit (or lack
thereof) of diversity receive with limited space and limited RX antennas.
I'm considering adding the 2nd RX to my K3 for this purpose. I am on a small
1/4 acre lot, with a 38' tower roughly in the center of the lot with a
tribander at the top. I have a G5RV in an inverted vee configuration with
the apex near the top of the tower, and the ends running to opposite corners
of the lot. I also have a multiband vertical, ground mounted with buried
radials, about 25' from the tower. I may try adding a low (6' high)
resistance-terminated receive antenna running around a portion of the yard.
It will be close to the vertical at two points.
Obviously, I'll have to configure an opto-MOS or something similar to
disconnect the RX antenna when I'm transmitting, since my antennas don't
have much physical separation.
Does anyone have experience using diversity RX with a similar configuration?
The addition of a 2nd RX with filters becomes fairly expensive- is it worth
the cost in this antenna-limited situation?
Thanks, and Happy Holidays.

Jason  AC7JW