[Elecraft] K3 - Performance on 6M?

[Lew Phelps K6LMP]

Jeff, I bought my K3 in large part for VHF/UHF contesting.  The receiver is excellent for 6 meter weak signal work, but you will want to get the PR6 preamp.  I concur with others that it is highly desirable, and also that it will give you as much performance, with less hassle, than a masthead mounted pre-amp.  To install the PR6, you should also get the transverter interface/receive antenna module, which greatly simplifies installation and makes for easier operation. 

N5GE posted a very nice little analysis to the Elecraft reflector some time back, showing his experience in puling in a weak 6 meter beacon located in Buenos Aires. He reports that the PR6 improves weak signal reception better than using the internal preamp in the K3, and that for very, very weak signals using both preamps together is helpful. See his report at 

http://www.mail-archive.com/elecraft@mailman.qth.net/msg86350.html

The PR6 preamp is desirable/necessary because receiver sensitivity on 6 meters is inherently less than on HF bands in the K3, due to the basic architecture of the rig. It's not a design flaw, but rather the result of a tradeoff of design considerations. 

>From my experience, the K3 will serve you very well on 6 meters, and very, very well with the addition of the PR6 preamp.

Lew K6LMP



On Apr 1, 2010, at 7:03 PM, Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> Sorry to trouble you all again but I'd like to find out more on the K3's 6M performance as very little seems to be mentioned on the Elecraft website.
> The 6M band is rather important to me and my new station will have at least a 7 element yagi at 60' or so and maybe higher.
> I currently own a late series Yaesu FT847 which has been my mainstay VHF/UHF rig since I was licenced a few years ago and it has a proven to have good performance on 6M and higher.
> What I'd like to know from those of you that regularly use the K3 on 6M is what you think of its performance on that band, compared to other radios.
> Is it sensitive enough compared to the other radios and if not, is the Elecraft pre-amp worth it or should I go for a masthead mounted pre-amp in preference?
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF
> Innisfail, QLD
> Australia.
> (But not for much longer!)
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