[Elecraft] RX Ant K3 Preamp vs External Preamp

[Edward R Cole]

Assuming this question is for the K3, K3S, and K4, then the only 
bands that preamp NF and preamp location matter is on 10m & 6m.

I run eme on 50, 144, and 1296 MHz; at 144 and above a so-called 
masthead preamp (close to antenna) makes a difference in receiver 
sensitivity (ability to hear the weak one's).

At 50-MHz I use an ARR P50VDG preamp at the base of my eme 
tower.  But its a very marginal improvement over using the PR6 on 
back of my K3.  For all non-eme operating I just use the PR6.  I 
believe the PR6 is not needed in the K3S and K4.

If your coax line loss is under 1-dB locating the preamp at the radio 
works fine.  Most 6m-eme stations have under 1-dB loss and place 
their preamp at the radio.

PR6 helps my 2010 era K3 on 10m as well.  I never use the internal 
preamp with either the PR6 or ARR preamps, but sometimes use it on 
20m or 17m.  30, 40, and 80m do not need any preamp as those bands 
are sky noise limited (for most of us).

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
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