[Elecraft] Optimum Receiver Performance

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

In writing this, I do so, saying that I find the method to be excellent 
and reliable and repeatable with regard to HF radio receiver operation 
for all modes.

In general it seems that hams have the more incorrect notion or idea 
where more gain is needed to hear a weak signal.  To some degree in 
certain conditions that is true, but not understanding the why and the 
how can actually lead to worst receiver performance issues.  In my 
communications with Rob Sherwood, {Sherwood Engineering, Inc.}  both 
face to face and in writing, I've learned that most if not many hams use 
too much RF Gain with their receivers.   All legacy receivers are 
typically designed for 10 meters, thus attenuation is desirable on the 
lower HF bands. I've adopted this recommend practice and I'm amazed at 
the weak signals that I would often miss hearing that I now can hear and 
pull out of the noise.

If the no signal band noise is reading upscale on your S meter, add some 
attenuation and/or reduce the RF Gain.  There is no point in the noise 
running the AGC.   You would like the no signal band noise to be about 
10 dB above the noise floor of the receiver.

If the receiver noise floor is 10 dB below band noise, the receiver is 
contributing less than 0.5 dB of the total noise. Thus more gain means 
more receiver noise.    So how does all of this work?    As an example; 
the value taken from the manufactures specifications we find the 
receiver noise floor to be -130 dBm. Therefore, the target of 10 dB 
above the receiver noise floor for the no signal band noise would be 
-120 dBm.   Band noise, by band, varies as much as 30 dB over the bands 
160M - 10M.    In a noisy urban environment it is anybody's guess at to 
you band noise level. The point being, you must adjust receiver gain, 
and attenuation based on your antenna and your location to attain be 
best results.   It will most assuredly be different for each band and 
antenna to antenna.    And with directional antennas, some directions 
are noisier than others.

Here's how one is able to determine band noise.   On a clear frequency 
for that band and with the chosen antenna, with no attenuation, no 
preamp and RF gain a maximum, observe the S meter value.   For our 
example; lets say the S meter reads S-5 on no signal band noise.  This 
is equivalent to -97 dBm.   There are charts readily available to 
convert S units to dBm.  {see ARRL Handbook}  We accept the standard of 
6 dB per S unit.   Now for the math; our target of 10 dB above receiver 
noise floor is -120 dBm and our band noise is -97 dBm.  The difference 
is 23 dB. This says we need to use some value of attenuation, example 15 
dB, and 8 dB of RF gain reduction for a total of 23 dB.  This then 
places the band noise at 10 dB above the noise floor of the receiver. 
Depending on your receiver, you may have different values of attenuation 
choices.   Also we must realize with directional antennas that band 
noise will likely vary with direction.  Usually worst case and best case 
conditions must be observed in order to resolve a nominal value.

As to the method for adjusting RF Gain, most receivers' S meter will 
move up scale as RF Gain is reduced.  At 6 dB per S unit, reducing the 
RF Gain such that the receiver S meter indicates 3 S units would be 
equivalent of 18 dB.   This is easily seen when the receiver is 
connected to a dummy load.

Another way to assure you have this correct is to connect an AC 
voltmeter, one that reads dB to the audio output of the receiver. Adjust 
the receiver gain such that the meter reads -10 db when the receiver is 
on a dummy load.  Then connect the antenna.  If the noise goes up 3 dB 
that says the the receiver is contributing 1/2 of the noise.  If you can 
barely hear your antenna connect, you will need more RF Gain or less 
attenuation.

As to the use of the receiver preamp, again that is some amount of gain 
added to the receiver chain and must be considered accordingly.  As a 
rule, the preamp should only be engaged on the higher bands, 6M and 10M 
and to a lesser extent on other bands. Also one must take into 
consideration of the noise floor of the receiver with the preamp engaged.

For further study on the subject, visit Sherwood Engineering for one of 
his papers, videos, or PowerPoint presentations  for Contest 
University.  Look  under the heading of "Presentations, Tips and How to, 
and White Papers" . http://www.sherweng.com/

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 10/30/2019 7:33 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> There is no reason to always run RF gain at maximum. Otherwise there 
> wouldn't be a control.
>
> I have always set up FT8 with the gains about 12 o'clock and adjusted 
> the RF gain so the signal strength meter in wsjt-x is about 60 to 70. 
> This adjustment gives the maximum level for the weak signals without 
> overloading the analog to digital converter. The whole idea is to get 
> every stage in the RF and AF chains in their linear range.
>
> Sometimes when trying to copy a weak CW or SSB signal, dropping the RF 
> gain so the band noise is barely audible will help.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV
>
>