[Elecraft] K3 Diversity Rocks!

[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Congrats Bill! Think you're too modest, experience counts too ;o)

I had my first golden log 130 QSOs, 66 multipliers all good. K3, no second
Rx for this contest, only one short beverage and only 100 watts. Good enough
for 8th in the US. 

I'm sure you noticed the recent IARU 3830 soapbox postings, MANY K3s now
used for top scores, and more converts seem to be on the way:

http://www.eskimo.com/~mwdink/3830/IARU%20Soapbox%20July%2014%202009.txt

Seen more postings on the 4 square Rx arrays, sounds like if you have the
room it's the way to go. Still playing with my second Rx, much to learn yet.

GL in NAQP RTTY!

73,
Julius

Your questions in order:

1.  My main TX array is similar to a 4-square and my RX antennas are 7
Beverages ranging from 600-1100'.  I have my K3 set up so I normally listen
on both (i.e. in diversity) but I can also quickly switch between the TX
array only or the Beverages only.  I also sometimes use an inverted-V for
"local" stations in NA/SA instead of the vertical array.

2.  Diversity can be very helpful to fight the QSB characteristic on 160. 
I've sometimes heard signals switching back and forth between ears several
times within a second.  I believe this allows me to copy calls and exchanges
the first time without the need for repeats.  It also helps me copy callers
from multiple directions simultaneously.

3.  My QSO score reduction was from 435 claimed to 428 final which is fairly
good (1.6% error rate).  Considering how weak signals can be on 160, the
unique power exchange is often a challenge to copy correctly.  I miscopied 1
call and 6 power exchanges.  The comment from OL0W below is not necessarily
very scientific but FWIW...

"Only for fun, when the band was already closing, I decided to try what I
will
be able to work with QRP. Using longer callsing OK1DSZ and the power reduced
to
5W I spend about 10 minutes calling several east coast big guns. The award
for
the best ears goes to W4ZV, who was worked as easily as with the kilowatt
earlier in the night. K8PO and W2FU were worked with several repeats. The
others just kept CQing without any reaction with exception of K1TTT, who
apparently heard something, but not enough for the QSO."  

>    A good number of people in EI are purchasing K3s at this time.  It not
only has about the best performance but offers probably the best value with
the opportunity to build up the radio gradually.   

Shhhh!!!  We don't want to publicize our competitive advantage.  ;-)

Tim KT1D corrected me on K1XM's location...it's actually W1KM where he was
one of the ops and it was an all K3 operation.

73,  Bill



-----
Julius Fazekas
N2WN

Tennessee Contest Group
http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html

Tennessee QSO Party
http://www.tnqp.org/

Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366
Elecraft K3        #1875
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