[Elecraft] K3 and Preamp

[Dauer, Edward]

Aware as I am that the word ³data² is not the plural of the word
³anecdote,² I can offer a subjective anecdote to the contrary:  With the
PR6-10 in the RX Ant line  of my K3, there are CW signals I can copy
(barely) which I cannot hear at all with the preamp out of the circuit,
regardless of the RF and AF gain settings.  I can¹t explain it and I don¹t
have the equipment to do any objective measurements; but it is the case.
I have found the pre-amp to be worth the money.

Ted, KN1CBR



>------------------------------
>
>Message: 25
>Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 10:34:17 -0700
>From: Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 and preamp
>Message-ID: <5409F419.9050500 at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
>On Fri,9/5/2014 9:59 AM, iain macdonnell - N6ML wrote:
>> That doesn't justify a pre-amp. If you want more acoustic noise, just
>> turn up the AF gain. The only reason (I can see) to use a preamp is if
>> the receiver internal noise level is higher than the atmospheric noise
>> (coming from the antenna).
>
>Right.
>
>> If the noise level perceptibly drops when
>> you disconnect the antenna, a preamp isn't going to do much for
>> you....
>
>Perceptibly is not the right word if you care about weak signal work.
>The difference should be at least "twice as loud" when the antenna is
>added, which corresponds to about 10 dB.  Use the K3's internal audio
>voltmeter to determine this.  Turn off AGC, with the antenna connected,
>calibrate the dB readout to zero following the instructions in the
>manual, then remove the antenna.
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>
>