[Elecraft] SWL question

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Ross,

I'm sure you'll get opinions from those less biased than me :)  But  
here's some basic info regarding the K3 and short-wave listening:

The K3's receive specs are generally the same for the SWL bands as for  
the ham bands, assuming you have a KBPF3 installed. The sub receiver  
also has a slot for a KBPF3, and its own antenna jack, allowing  
diversity receive from 0.5 to 30 MHz (as well as on 6 m). This is a  
great way to improve copy in fading conditions. If you're using the  
lower-frequency bands, you might consider using a low-noise loop for  
one of the antennas.

Below about 1.5 MHz, the main receive antenna path gradually  
introduces some loss via a high-pass filter. This is intended to  
protect the T/R PIN diodes. Once you get to 500 kHz, attenuation is  
roughly 20 dB. However, you can bypass the main path if you have a  
KXV3 module installed; just run your broadcast-band antenna into RX  
ANT. The KXV3 also allows you to patch filters in-line with the  
receive antenna path. Such filters would be installed between RX ANT  
IN and OUT. (Note that the sub's aux antenna can also be used to get  
around the high-pass filter.)

If you have a lot of favorite SWL stations, you can store them in the  
K3's 100 general-purpose memories. We have an excellent K3 memory  
management PC program written by Dick, K6KR.

One other feature you'll probably like is AM synchronous detection.  
The K3 can receive AM-S in either upper or lower sideband, selectable  
from the front panel (SHIFT control). It can optionally auto-lock onto  
the signal carrier. If you're on 75 meter AM listening to a  
roundtable, the K3 will auto-lock onto each station in turn,  
displaying their frequency to the nearest Hz if desired. Or you can  
manually force lock by tapping SPOT.

73,
Wayne
N6KR



On Apr 22, 2011, at 12:06 PM, Ross wrote:

> Hi all
>
> How good is the K3 as a general coverage receiver? I know that's a
> ridiculously broad question but... with the KBPF3 is it fair to say
> that the receiver performance is similar to what it is on the ham
> bands?
>
> I'm looking at choices right now but very likely to be buying a K3 in
> a couple of months after I've moved house.
>
> I may have some other questions but the KBPF3 is likely to be one of
> my first extra modules because I enjoy listening around.
>
> 73
> Ross KT1F
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