[Elecraft] K3 PRE function question

[Randy Farmer]

I sure envy those of you who live in a quiet enough environment to take 
advantage of that much gain. Here in the city the noise level is so high 
even on 6 meters that even the additional gain provided by the built-in 
preamp on the KXV3B module usually only brings the noise level up; weak 
signals are still buried in all the ambient crap. I previously used a 
PR6 on my K3 and don't really see much difference between it and the 
preamp in the Transverter module. I'm looking forward more and more to 
retirement and a move out of the city.

73...
Randy, W8FN

On 12/1/2017 9:53 AM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Just my observations on 6m with only the internal PRE on my K3 
> (purchased circa 2010):
>
> I noticed a lack of sensitivity on 6m.  I had a ARR P50VDG preamp with 
> 22-25 dB of gain which worked better than the internal PRE. That gave 
> me about 12 dB more gain compared with running the PRE. Also lower NF 
> (typ. 0.5 dB).
>
> I then purchased a PR6-10 and that helps considerably over using the 
> PRE.  I have used my K3+PR6-10 for copying 6m-eme signals with a 
> single yagi (6-element) so that speaks well of the PR6-10.  I use the 
> ARR preamp mounted at tower top for eme and it is a little bit better 
> (has more gain) on very weak eme signals using JT65.  I use DIGOUT-1 
> to control my PR6-10 and use the pass-thru connections for the ARR.  
> That adds nice convenience for using the two preamps.
>
> I have a second smaller 6m yagi which I use the PR6-10, only.  BTW 
> this is equal to my KX3 with preamp ON (which says a lot for the KX3).
>
> My opinion is the PR6-10 makes the K3 better on higher bands than the 
> internal PRE (which I leave off).  If you are considering getting one 
> its a good (if not essential) upgrade for the original K3 on 6m and 
> 10m.  Yes, you will see a small rise in the noise reading on the 
> s-meter (due to more gain), but sensitivity is improved more than that 
> (due to lower NF).  I see about S3-4 noise floor on 6m with the PR6-10 
> and S5 with the ARR.  PRE runs maybe S1 (a guess as I haven't used it 
> for some time).
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW