[Elecraft] TS-990

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2015-03-09 12:23 PM, Jim Brown posted from Michelle, W5NYV:
> So, If you want to talk about what the best contesting rig is, then
> I think you have to consider radios in a more multidimensional manner
> than by just comparing the equivalent of horsepower. Of which, Flex
> clearly seems to win.

That claim hides a major blind spot.  Sherwood's test numbers show
that the K3 with the new synthesizer is every bit equivalent to the
Flex-6000 series when one considers noise floor (MDS) (weak signal
performance) and realizes that the Flex can not handle multiple very
strong signals without serious blocking and compromised dynamic range
due to A/D limiting.

With the new synthesizer the K3 has a better MDS without a preamp than
the Flex with its preamp enabled.  The measured difference without a
preamp on either unit is 18 dB!  Even with a 20 dB preamp for the Flex
(which reduces the strong signal handling capability by 20 dB and could
be fatal with multiple strong signals), the Flex still has a 4 dB
higher MDS (less sensitive receiver) that the updated K3 with its
10 dB preamp.

So long as direct conversion SDRs have A/D limiting issues that occur
at real world signal levels (e.g. on 160 meters within a few miles of
50 KW AM broadcast stations, on 40 meters in Europe with multiple
strong broadcast signals in the band, etc.) the Flex SDRs simply can
not be said to "win" any comparison of "horsepower" (and their user
interface sucks!).

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV