[Elecraft] K3/K3s compared to Collins S line receiver

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Bill brings up an important operation point to which I find many do not 
understand.   That is in many cases, attenuation and RF gain reduction 
does improve the ability to copy a weak signal, be it SSB or CW.   In 
most cases, optimal receiver performance is attained when the no signal 
noise is about 10 dB above the receiver noise floor.  Since one can't 
change the receiver noise floor, then attenuation and reduction of gain 
stages to bring the band noise down will then allow signals to pop out 
of the noise. On 160M, 80M & 40M to a large extent, I implement 15 dB of 
attenuation and reduce the RF gain accordingly.  At the same time, 
higher frequency bands have less noise and thus I can run less 
attenuation and/or more RF gain.  Finally on 12M, 10M and 6M I will 
engage the preamp.  I frequently encounter hams with the preamp engaged 
on 80 meters saying "it is needed to heard the weak signals".   And I 
often find instances where the preamp is engaged along with the 
attenuation at the same time.   That is much like driving your car with 
one foot on the brake and the other foot on the accelerator.   I 
actually see a number of vehicles being driven that way.  At least that 
keeps the auto techs in business.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 6/4/2018 10:49 PM, Bill wrote:
>
>        Comment saying,"The plethora of snap, crackle, pops and buzzes
>        associated with endless
>        switching power supplies, routers, TVs, etc. create listener
>        fatigue." sure hit it on the head!!!
>
> For what it is worth, I use Behringer amplified speakers. Between the 
> menu settings available in the K3 and the amplifier in the speakers 
> using a low output from the K3 - I get very good armchair listening. 
> Also - do not be afraid to use the ATT or even reducing the RF Gain. 
> It took me a long time to find the sweet spot(s) for hissless K3 
> listening.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
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