[Elecraft] P3 v SubRX

[Rick WA6NHC]

You're preachin to da choir son.  Fine job though.

K1N was awful for DQRM, lids and untrained idiots.  3G0ZC the next week 
wasn't quite as bad, nor as rare.  E30FB is rough here on the West Coast 
due to lack of signal strength, conditions and the same crowds.  You 
can't hear, what isn't there.

I see that problem cause as twofold:  Lack of noobs seeking an Elmer for 
proper training NOT covered adequately in the classes or tests; Lack of 
folks willing to become an Elmer to guide the newcomers. That's WAY off 
topic for here.

Putting in perspective and back on topic; the P3 was almost totally 
useless for K1N, except to watch and measure the height and width of the 
pileup (there WERE no holes to utilize in that pack).  What you said is 
very true, the subreceiver helped, about as much because of the reasons 
you stated too.  Together however, is still a deadly combination, by 
watching the (group of) signal(s) on the P3 that the DX is working, 
quickly tuning the receiver to the most likely being worked and 
confirming by ear, they allowed me to gain 13 Q's with K1N on a low 
dipole and some power (it's all in the DX pattern recognition, if 
they're not purposely avoiding a pattern).  The other operating style 
was simply work the edges of the pileup, don't be in the middle.

P3 and KRX3 in 'normal' DX collecting... fish:barrel.  They are the sole 
reason I have 250 'entities' in the log over the last couple years.  
When I'm not traveling, I DX (sometimes I *am* the DX).  Oh yes, the 
KPA500 helps, a LOT since I'm on a sole dipole.

I don't see things improving in the ranks, so anyone looking at the 
purchase of the K Line should simply keep the budget open ended and 
collect everything as they can.  P3 first (plan on the SVGA card too, 
your eyes will never improve), then a KRX3, then flesh it out with more.

Let's look at your budget too.  The P3/SVGA combo costs versus the KRX3 
with filters (mine are all filled the same in both, for diversity and to 
minimize what my failing ears are subjected to when listening in two 
places).  Add in that you'll have to replace the Synth card when you add 
the KRX3 (or obtain two used ones, storing the new one for later, but 
why) and I suspect that financially as well, the P3/SVGA will be more 
reachable first.

That's my best reasoning for the P3 and why it should be first. It's the 
better of the two choices and it's more financially obtainable.

Whatever you choose, good luck and good hunting.

Rick wa6nhc


On 3/9/2015 6:02 PM, Randy Farmer wrote:
> I would agree that the P3 should probably take priority over the 
> Subreceiver for a new buy, mostly due to the many different things it 
> can do for you. But... my experience this weekend trying to work E30FB 
> on 20 CW sure made me glad I had the Sub. I would never have worked 
> them using just the scope.
>
> Problem is, it seems the way people try to work DX these days makes it 
> virtually impossible to depend on a visual cue to know who's being 
> worked by the DX if there's a pileup of any size at all. E30FB had the 
> pile spread out for better than 20 kHz, and the scope showed a 
> constant morass of signals all across the entire span. Aside from the 
> obliviots who continually send their call whether the DX is listening 
> or not, there are many who apparently see nothing wrong with coming 
> back or continuing to call when the DX operator replies to a call that 
> obviously isn't theirs. Every time E30FB would answer a complete call 
> there were dozens of perfectly timed signals that jumped up all across 
> the extent of the pileup. Luckily, using the second receiver I managed 
> to stumble on to one that turned out to actually be the guy he was 
> working. A minute or two of careful listening around that frequency 
> revealed the operator's tuning pattern, and after just a couple of 
> calls I was in the log too.
>
> If you really want to work rare DX these days you're going to NEED the 
> second receiver. This isn't due to any problems with the capabilities 
> of the P3 -- it's the result of operating practices that continue to 
> deteriorate. You'll need all the tools you can get and all the cunning 
> you can muster to work DX through the Doofus curtain these days.
>
> 73...
> Randy, W8FN
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