[Elecraft] K144XV vs XV144

[Edward R Cole]

Not a comment on the K144XV vs XV144, but one about running eme.

Use of a low-noise figure preamp is not "optional" for eme, so 
transverter sensitivity is less important an issue, though its nice 
if it is low.  I use a DEMI 144-28 transverter with 0.8 dB NF 
(unmeasured) and 17-dB conversion gain.  With my 0.1 dB NF preamp 
(26-dB gain) this produces a S4 noise floor in the K3 on 28-MHz (a 
bit too much gain).  This will result in impacting large signal 
handling but I have no issues for that on 2m since the nearest active 
2m eme station is in BC about 1300km away.

Use of an external preamp is encouraged on 2m and higher freq if one 
is into working CW/SSB/digital long-range, weak-signal contacts.  You 
can't work em if you can't hear me!  My 2m-eme receiving system MDS= 
-153 dBm. (-172 dBm with antenna gain).  K3 diversity receiving makes 
eme a real joy!

Best Wished for the Holidays!
Ed - KL7UW
we will be attending Dayton this year!  We will be at the microwavers 
flea mkt location with WA5VJB and NE8I (and others).  I plan to demo 
the new 5w/140w HF amp using the KX3 as exciter.