[Elecraft] K3 and preamp

[Brian]

Quite some time ago there was a discussion that adding a preamp at the 
K3 antenna terminals couldn't possibly help.  The argument is that it 
can't improve S/N

Perhaps here is the reason it does help from somebody versed in 
ear/brain signal processing.

73 de Brian/K3KO
--------------------
On 8/28/2014 17:45, David McClain dbm at refined-audiometrics.com
[FMT-nuts] wrote:
 > Some weeks ago I was musing about the way we all listen to the weak 
ones on the HF bands.... And then it struck me, based on what I know 
about our hearing:
 >
 > While we all dislike the constant rush of noise in the headphones, it 
actually turns out to be helpful, and that's why we instinctively turn 
up the volume and just live with the noise. When you do that, you are 
imposing strong ambient noise on your hearing. That in turn affects the 
way your hearing works. It produces a much steeper response to weak 
signals riding in the noise. So a very small change in signal level 
causes a much larger change in apparent loudness in your brain. It makes 
it easier to read the weak signals.
 >
 > Coupled with that, we also need that noise to produce something 
called "stochastic resonance", which is the basis for dithered noise 
added to recordings. It lets you hear things that are solidly below the 
noise floor.
 >
 > - 73 de Dave, N7AIG