[Elecraft] Noisy K-3 Receiver

[Jim McCook]

Juergen and others.....

I'm glad to see this thread get so much attention; it's about time this 
issue was brought into focus.  In spite of my huge appreciation for this 
radio, I find it to be very noisy and fatiguing to listen to, especially 
with weak signals. 

I have, like others, tried all the adjustments mentioned, but with no 
real improvement.  I can switch to my FT-1000D for relief when this gets 
to the point of being difficult.  I find myself doing this more and more 
often.  I used the K-3 in CQWW SSB and CW, and enjoyed the great 
features and ease of use, especially using the N1MM settings to access 
the KDVR audio during the SSB contest.  But... all these great features 
have come at some cost.... dealing with the receiver noise.  Even the EQ 
settings are a tradeoff because the noise follows boost in the low range 
for CW (I listen at 350hz).  We still need separate EQ settings for SSB, 
too.

I'm also wondering if the DSP board upgrade for low range will help to 
solve some of this problem....

The RX MIX audio arrangement in the FT-1000D is still far superior to 
the K-3, also.  The newest options for this helped, but the Yaesu is 
still better in dual receiving mode with the balance control. 

Jim
W6YA