[Elecraft] K3: Do you "Juice" your K3?

[David Gilbert]

It all depends upon the circumstances. 

When I was trying to decide whether the additional 2 db gain from a 
larger yagi was worth the additional cost (yes, I know about the 
additional benefits of a tighter pattern), I generated some audio 
recordings comprised of CW sent from CW Player (freeware by F6DQM) mixed 
with band noise from 80m.  I varied the CW in 1 db increments centered 
around the level of the band noise and tried to decide which differences 
were discernible.  I had to work pretty hard to hear a difference of one 
db, and then only right at the noise level.  Two db was noticeable, and 
three db stood out.  All of this is valid only down near the noise 
level, of course ... at even ten db above the noise level these small 
differences are pretty difficult to detect.

So if you're trying to DX on 160m or 80m, or trying to pull out a really 
weak caller on 15m or 20m just before the band folds in a contest, 2 db 
could very well be worthwhile.

That being said, cranking up the voltage on a K3 isn't the way to get it.

73,
Dave   AB7E



Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>
> I've never found any value in increasing power unless I can go up at least 6
> dB - multiply my output power by at least 4 times. 
>
> To most ears (and many meters), that's about 1 "S" unit.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
>
>