[Elecraft] K3 - AF/RF Gain [and S-meters]

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

You've already done the one thing that does the biggest part of
keeping signals, and especially noise, in appropriate range, making
the RF gain at max roughly right.  I sometimes back off RF gain about
an 1/8 turn if it's really bad noisy.

The only RF gain adjustments in a K3 are the PRE/ATT settings.  The
variable gain is in the IF, even if the pot says RF gain.  Strictly
speaking, your RF gain is +10 on 10 and 12,  maybe 15,  0 on 20 and
30, -10 on 80 and 160, maybe 40.

I have had numbers of conversations with K3 owners who turned on PRE,
left it there, all bands, all modes and wondered why the K3 roared at
them on the low bands.  I'd also have to say that the reasons why were
more often than not hard to explain and get across.  Got no idea why
so hard to explain.  And a couple guys that simply did not believe it.

" I run the preamp on 12 and 10m, sometimes but not always on 15m,
nothing on 20 and 30, occasionally Attenuator on 40, always on 80 and
160.  I've never tried 60m."

   ...is the most important part of what you described.

73, Guy

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 9:41 PM, Fred Jensen <k6dgw at foothill.net> wrote:
> On 5/19/2011 5:30 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>> You haven't told us what settings you have on ATT/PRE, per band. That
>> would make a huge difference in how things worked out.
>
> Sorry!  I run the preamp on 12 and 10m, sometimes but not always on 15m,
> nothing on 20 and 30, occasionally Attenuator on 40, always on 80 and
> 160.  I've never tried 60m.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011
> - www.cqp.org
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