[Elecraft] Setting up the KX3 Pre-Amp for FT8/JS8Call when receiving ?

[John Newgas]

Setting up the KX3 Pre-Amp for FT8/JS8Call when receiving ?
I use my KX3 mainly for JS8Call and FT8 on 20 and 40m.    Because I live in London, I have a poor antenna and quite a lot of QRM around me.

I had thought that my KX3 might be a bit deaf on receive as my 10W signal can be heard by many stations which I can’t hear.  Before making and erecting a new antenna, I thought I would re-check all the settings I use  … Attenuator OFF, RF Gain set to 0 etc.

I then started to think about the receive pre-amp which is normally OFF.  Setting ti to 10 db Gain and turning it on, did seem to improve things.

I was wondering how with Digimodes to work out the best level for Pre-Amp gain.   The traditional "listening for signals in noise" doesn’t really work as the detection levels are below hearing.  Any good suggestions for setting this optimally when you have a short and poor antenna ?

John G7LTQ