[Elecraft] K3 - New Synthesizers and Diversity Mode

[Jim Sheldon]

When I first got my K3 a few years ago (#5027) I tried diversity, but 
never really had much luck with it due to the lack of a halfway decent 
antenna to put on the 2nd receiver.  With the new synthesizers installed 
and after doing the experimental VLF sensitivity modification, I used my 
QRP portable antenna (PAR EndFedZ) to listen down there.

This morning I was listening to a QSO between K1JD and JA1NUT on 40 
meters.  JD was running S9+ with QSB down to around S3 and JA1NUT was 
about S7 down to S1 or so.  Accidentally turned Diversity on and WOW 
what a difference that made - Shin (JA1NUT) was totally readable with 
diversity mode on.  Had to get used to the stereo effect of having the 
signal pass between the speakers as the strength changed and one RX took 
over from the other but boy, it's much quieter than it used to be and 
the "whoosh" when tuning is completely gone.  Really like the improved 
version of diversity and that alone is worth the cost of the two syn 
boards in my opinion.

Someone mentioned "birdies" with the new KSYN3A's but I haven't found 
any in mine.  He mentioned a much earlier serial number and I suspect 
that's the difference.  Mine is #5027 and I've had it for a few years 
now.  I AM running the latest firmware and have kept that current even 
through the Beta versions.

Jim - W0EB





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