[Elecraft] K3 - panadapter or subreceiver

[Craig Smith]

I have both with my K3.  If I could have only one, it would definitely be the P3.  The sub RX is great for diversity receive which helps a lot in CW contesting.  But the P3, as other have pointed out, lets you quickly find where to place your signal when trying to find a good run frequency.  For DXing, I think it is pretty much a tossup.

But one aspect of the P3 that no one has recently mentioned is that it makes a SUPERB piece of test equipment when used with the K3.  I don't have a dedicated spectrum analyzer but found that the P3 meets many of these needs.  I use it when designing and characterizing filters.  The ability to easily download and print out plots in full high resolution color is amazing.  I often use it with the Elecraft noise source as an input signal.  Of course I have the general coverage bandpass filters K3 option, which I highly recommend.  And the K3's functionality as a calibrated tunable RF voltmeter is awesome as well.

The P3 is also invaluable as a tool for tracking down EMI. You can see the type of signal and how it is moving in frequency vs. time.  I use it for this both with the K3 and also as a portable battery powered standalone EMI receiver by setting the programmable IF frequency to the range of interest and using a small hand-held loop antenna.

For anyone with an interest in home brewing and circuit design, I can't recommend the K3/P3 combo highly enough.


73   Craig   AC0DS