[Elecraft] K3 and preamp

[Chuck Smallhouse]

Dave, N7AIG,

Please define "stochastic resonance",  a new term for me, which may 
apparently aid in weak signal detection.

When I was very active on 2M CW EME, in order to better detect very 
weak signals below the noise, I played all kinds of adjustment games 
with the CW BW, tone and IF shaping of my TS-930S.  For my needs 
(type of noise) it had by far the best NB that I've ever used.  In 
addition, I also used an Autek QF-1 external audio filtering system, 
centered at about 400 Hz and an estimated 25 Hz audio BW.  It did not 
ring when adjusted properly.  By dumb luck and extensive 
experimenting, I discovered that the least expensive (cheapest) 
headphones that Radio  Shack sold, had a strong mechanical (audio 
peak ?) resonance, also at 400 Hz.

My hearing (unadmitted at the time) had also like Fred's, had been 
exposed to many, many very, very loud noises, during one of my 
careers, and suffered greatly from Tinitus and overall hearing 
impairment.  It happened that my preferred or best CW weak signal 
copying frequency, was 400 Hz.

Anyway when the searched for very weak signal ( sometimes > -10 dB 
below the noise) lined up with all the adjusted BWs, it just seemed 
to "pop" out of noise and become detectable.

So Dave, is this at all related to, or similar to  " stochastic resonance"  ?

Chuck,  W7CS