[Elecraft] [K3] High internal noise level

[Jim Brown]

On Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:18:06 -0400, Pete Smith wrote:

>Nonetheless, I wonder how this compares with others' experience, 
>or with the factory expectation?

What I think you are observing is the AGC bringing up the system gain 
so that you hear circuit noise in the front end. As W8JI has often 
observed, if the noise level increases at least 10dB when you connect 
the antenna, the circuit noise in the receiver is not limiting weak 
signal performance. That condition is met on all bands except 6M, where 
an external preamp is needed in any reasonably quiet location. 

73, Jim Brown K9YC