[Elecraft] Interpretation of P3 display

[Jim Brown]

On 6/8/2012 11:45 AM, Harold V wrote:

> Is this what is known as "splatter"?

The triangular shape is most likely phase noise.

> Is the station overdriving their transmitter or linear?

The most likely causes are phase noise produced by inferior transceiver 
designs, and distortion products in transmitters and power amps.

>   Is their ALC or compression too high?

That can also be a cause, and also overdriving audio.  These products 
would vary in strength with modulation, and most prominent on audio peaks.

>   Is the frequency response of their microphone too wide?

No -- transmitted bandwidth is limited by the transmitting filters in 
the transceiver. Virtually all mics have response from at least 50 Hz to 
at least 10 kHz, although the degree of uniformity can vary widely from 
one mic to another.

73, Jim K9YC