[Elecraft] K1: Dynamic range question

[Wayne Burdick]

Andrew Moore wrote:

> The subject of the K1's dynamic range comes up once in a while...
>
> Is the K1's "limited" dynamic range tuned/biased towards weak signal  
> work,
> or towards handling strong signals... ?

Hi Andrew,

We optimized the K1 for low receive-mode current drain (about 50 mA),  
consistent with a battery-powered radio. A low-noise/low-injection  
active mixer such as the SA612/NE602/etc. is a good choice in this  
case; it's the same mixer I used in the NorCal 40A, SST, and Sierra  
transceivers. MDS (minimum discernable signal) is very good, but  
there's also a switchable attenuator that can be kicked in if signal  
levels are very high.

73,
Wayne
N6KR