[Elecraft] K3 - panadapter or subreceiver

[Bruce McLaughlin]

I tend to 2nd that recommendation. I have both the P3 and a 2nd receiver in my K-3. I have the same filters for the sub receiver as the main receiver, although, I have never used diversity receive. I think the P3 is particularly helpful to check on band activity before you decide whether or not to switch to that band. For that, the 2nd receiver can obviously be useful. However, as far as actual operating is concerned. If I encounter a DX station using split I find that using RIT is sometimes quicker and faster than setting up a 2nd receiver and using split. Of course, if the split being used is wider than what is available with RIT then, of course you have no choice. All of this depends upon your operating habits. But I think it is a good idea to consider a P3 1st and then the 2nd receiver if you find that could be useful. By the way, I find the P3 much more useful than LP pan. It does not tie up the computer which I can then use for other things such as logging or station control. Part of that preference was caused by the fact that I did not make the If  gain modification to my K-3 and so the LP display showed very low amplitude signals which were often not very useful. That of course was my fault. I find the P3 has enough gain that the if was not required. That is not an issue with newer K-3s which already have the higher gain Incorporated on the board.

 Bruce-W8FU
On Jul 3, 2012, at 8:02 AM, Keith Heimbold wrote:

> I am a newbie ham and I have both in my one K3 Serial 1391 and I find both useful but I definitely use the Panadapter with NAP3 more than the second receiver. 
> 
> One of my closest friends who is a non ham calls it my fish finder. It is super awesome for 6m fish finding when band props are sporadic. I wouldn't operate 6m without it. I use the second receiver on 6m with my new SteppIR 6m passive and my 6m stack because I can have the antennas pointed in different directions which is super cool. If I had to choose between one or the other I would go with the Panadapter or P3. 
> 
> Keith
> AG6AZ
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