[Elecraft] K1: Dynamic range question

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

A lot depends upon where you operate, Andrew. 

Dynamic range comes into play most often when you have a very large signal
near the same frequency and near you (e.g. field day, Ham next door, etc.) 

So, you are right that dynamic range depends upon what signals are being
received at a given moment. 

Sensitivity is a function of bandwidth and frequency as well as 'front end'
noise. Every receiver has some internal noise. As long as the noise picked
up by your antenna is stronger, it has all the sensitivity you can use.

The narrower the bandwidth, the less "antenna" noise will pass through
meaning the internal noise must be lower. I don't have a K1, but I have
built homebrew receivers using the 612 mixer and with anything approaching
an antenna big enough to be useful for transmitting, its internal noise is
not a factor up through, at least, 15 MHz. As you know, the higher in
frequency you go, the quieter the "antenna" noise. That's why VHF receivers
operating over 100 MHz pay so much attention to low noise designs. But on HF
it's not such an issue.

Since you specifically mention not working in contesting mode, I cannot
imagine that you'd be at all disappointed in the K1's performance on any
band. 

73,

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andrew Moore
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 7:26 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] K1: Dynamic range question

The subject of the K1's dynamic range comes up once in a while - about how
the 612 mixers (or perhaps other components?) can't deliver the dynamic
range that other designs can (such as the K2).  This may be over simplifying
but you get the idea.  Anyway, on to the question:

Is the K1's "limited" dynamic range tuned/biased towards weak signal work,
or towards handling strong signals, or does it even make sense to think of
it this way?  Or does the dynamic range move/adapt depending on what signals
are being received at a given moment?  This probably applies to radio
designs in general and not just the K1, but since I was thinking about the
K1, that's the list I posted to.

Hope the question makes sense.  Maybe I should be thinking about sensitivity
specs instead of dynamic range, but someone must be able to clue me in.

Basically, I'm wondering how well the K1 does for weak signal work, assuming
you aren't working in a contesting context with loads of other strong
signals nearby.  This undoubtedly depends on other factors too, but I'm
trying to keep it general.

Thanks,
--Andrew
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html