[Elecraft] 2nd RX Vs. P3

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

A good analysis ... the P3 compliments the KRX3 and vice versa.

Like Dave I have very modest antennas - an N6BT Q51 dipole at
6 meters for 20-10, an R5 or R7, and a 160/80/40 trapped inverted
V at 12 meters.  In many cases the P3 allows me to see quickly
where the DX is listening, offset just slightly and get in quickly
(if my signal is strong enough).  However, with the bigger piles
and the terrible operating behavior that has become the norm in
the last 10 years or so the P3 doesn't do the job on its own.

Just last night E30FB was on 40 CW calling for North America UP 3.
Sure enough there were callers UP 3 on the P3 and the timing was
right.  After a few fruitless calls, I turned up the KRX3 and -
sure enough - all the callers up 3 were simply calling whenever
E30FB stopped transmitting.  Looking at the P3 again - and using
the KRX3 - E30FB was actually listening up 4.5.  I called just
above the last caller in a bit of a clearing and he was in the log.

The same was true with K1N - although that one was almost a local.

I think a lot of the "out of turn calling" is due to those who can
not copy CW and are using decoders (whether that be in software or
in the rig).  Since the decoders are not 100% - particularly with
QRM present - those lids simply push the memory/macro button to send
their call every time the DX stops transmitting in hopes he will
repeat himself *if* they were the one he was calling.  Pile-up
behavior on CW has become worse than what it was on SSB 40 years
ago and phone is now so bad I won't even go there unless I need
it for an ATNO (only 5) or band credit.

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV


On 2015-03-15 12:42 AM, dyarnes wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> There has been a fair amount of discussion here about which accessory
> for the K3 trumps the other --a P3 or a 2nd RX.  I don't have an answer,
> but I do have an opinion.
>
> I have the full K-Line here, but due to neighborhood restrictions, my
> antennas are modest.  I use an R8 and a vertical dipole (Sigma 40XK) set
> up for 40 meters.  That gives me decent coverage from 40 meters up, but
> nothing really fancy--and not a sure fire pile up buster!  I'm certainly
> no threat to the "honor roll!"  Hi.  I think I have been a bit cavalier
> about relying too much on the P3 to spot DX listening frequencies with
> just the P3.  I love the P3, but I can't say I have been particularly
> accurate by using it. I do turn on the 2nd RX fairly often, but more
> often than not,  I get lazy about doing just that.
>
> The recent K1N Dxpedition was sort of a wake-up call for me about using
> the 2nd RX more.  I'd use the P3, and think  I had ID'd the listening
> freq., but it just wasn't producing any results.  Their split was very
> wide, and besides that, stations were calling and calling, even though
> they weren't the station K1N had acknowledged.  That' nothing new, but
> it was particularly bad on this operation.  I was getting a lot of
> "false" readings just using the P3.  For days I had "zero" success.
> Eventually I went to the 2nd RX, and the results improved dramatically.
> I got 5 band slots in fairly short order by doing so.  There just
> doesn't seem to be a really good substitute for knowing exactly which
> freq. the DX station is listening on at the time.  It doesn't guarantee
> success, but it sure gives you a leg up!
>
> I think, in my case at least, the 2nd RX may be the more advantageous
> for this kind of thing.  Stations with more power, and bigger antennas,
> have a definite advantage.  They can be picked out of the pile much more
> readily than I can.  Some of the big guns have signals so strong they
> are like magnets!  I think anyone in my shoes, who is trying to nab a
> good DX contact here or there, is apt to find the 2nd RX to be a great
> accessory, and more productive than the P3 for that particular purpose.
> Chances are I'm not using the P3 to it's best advantage, but I am trying
> to get better at it. I'm sure there are "tricks" I'm not aware of.
>
> Since the K1N DXpedition, there have been 4 or 5 other situations where
> the 2nd RX got me a contact in fairly short order--a couple of them just
> this weekend.  Anyway, I'm getting more and more convinced that the 2nd
> RX was a good move on my part.  The P3 was too, but it is more useful to
> me for other reasons.  If I had it to do all over, and could only get
> one accessory, or only one at a time, I would start with the 2nd RX.
>
> By the way, on the KX3, the "dual watch" feature is priceless, and very
> effectively emulates a 2nd RX!  K1N probably stretched the limits of
> that feature (15 khz), but generally that is more than adequate.  The
> KX3 is just a super slick radio, and with the PX3 you have a dynamite
> combo!
>
> Dave W7AQK
>
>
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