[Elecraft] P3 display versus FlexRadio

[Jim Brown]

Hi Martin,

I have a somewhat different solution to your problem, and it consists of 
multiple parts.

First, I set averaging to maximum (I set it years ago, don't ask me 
numbers). :)

Second, I set Scale to 24 dB when I'm not contesting, 32 dB for 100W 
contests, 42 dB for high power contests.

Third, I set reference level so that the noise level as at the bottom of 
the amplitude display , which causes the waterfall to be black where 
there are no signals.

Fourth, I set Tracking Mode ON, so that when I tune, the signals on the 
band stay put as I tune across them. Without this setting, Averaging 
would reset every time the changes frequency.

A major benefit of averaging is that it causes random noise to cancel 
itself out, leaving only signals (and noise that is NOT random). Now, 
both the amplitude display and the waterfall will show only real signals 
plus noise that's more or less stable in frequency, like clocks from 
microprocessors, and "lumps" of noise which may drift a little or a lot. 
Those lumps are generated by power-handling devices like switch-mode 
power supplies and variable-speed motor controllers.

I don't use monochrome display, but I do see signals against a nearly 
black background.

73, Jim K9YC

On 5/12/2018 8:05 PM, Martin Sole wrote:
> In the situation I have here where it is unusual to have any signals 
> on any band at more than S7-8, nearest centre of any appreciable 
> activity is several thousand miles away so mostly fairly weak signals, 
> in this case I find having the waterfall in monochrome, spectrum 
> display is still in colour, to be quite an advantage. It is quite 
> possible to set an almost black waterfall with signals barely above 
> the noise floor showing as grey marks, often much more discernible 
> than anything on the spectrum display.