[Elecraft] New to list; My first question

[Larry, KB5HMU]

Hello fellow Hams,

I'm new to the list and was referred by many from the Yahoo K3 group. Thank you.

I have been wanting a new radio for a while now and the K3 is at the top of my list. My current radio, a 706 MkIIG, has performed well for the last 11 years but my interest in weak signal 6 and 2 meter operation leaves quite a lot to be desired. I'm not the sort that runs out and buys the newest or latest (I'm still driving my 1991 Accord EX) so I want a radio that will last me 20 years or more. This is what really led me to K3 as it can be updated anytime. I have been looking at the SDR radios but I'm really a "hands-on-the-knob" kind of operator. At field day I watched a ham at his gigantic Flex 5000C and 23" monitor. Very impressive at first sight but after watching for a while, I noticed that his entire operation was nothing more than continuous wrist motions with the mouse. Just don't think I can go there.

I hope to learn much more about the K3 as I bank away my extra dollars. It looks like I need to buy quite a few of the options to do the K3 the way I need (Ha-Ha: NEED) for my operations. Two meter board, ATU, DVR, a few filters and the Panadapter are a must for me.

Here's my first question to the group:
I enjoy 6 meters immensely and someone recommended that I buy the pre-amp. My understanding about the effectiveness of a VHF preamp is to amplify the highest signal, i.e. at the antenna, to give the lowest noise increase. The PR6 mounts at the radio. Wouldn't that be amplifying noise in a weak signal more than if it were mounted at the antenna?

Thanks,
Larry
KB5HMU
http://qrz.com/db/KB5HMU