[Elecraft] K4 vs. K4D Question

[Chris R. NW6V]

Terry,

I could use your self-description by adding "used to" in the context of
contests (I'm up to 297 confirmed and contest opportunities for the rest
are slim to none).

Then I'd add: "lives on tiny urban/city lot surrounded by both horrible QRM
and hills."

My antennas were as you describe: a 2-el 5-band beam up a whopping 30 feet,
and a wire running through and around trees like a demented pretzel at that
same height. And you're right, while diversity thrives on differences, it
doesn't thrive on THOSE differences.

In my quest for DXCC on 40 and 80, I'd added a pair of DXE active receive
verticals and noise canceller in a failed attempt to phase my way through
the s5-s6 noise wall - there were far too many noise sources for
cancellation to be effective. So I was left with a receive antenna that
didn't work all that well in noise-hell, either.

Then, after letting it sit mostly unused for 6 months, I tried diversity
reception.

Wow.

When you're working down near the noise, QSB can kill many a QSO. But even
with my minimal antennas, the way signals "float" as the RF rotates through
polarizations is remarkable to hear: a signal that would otherwise be lost
often comes up in one ear just as it drops in the other...  I recently
worked VK6LW when he was unreadable on either the long-wire or the receive
ant, but was readable with diversity turned on.

It sometimes seems like the difference between mono and stereo music.

Anyway, diversity reception was unquestionably the key to 80M DXCC from
this QTH.

Point is: if my K3 hadn't already had that second receiver, it's unlikely I
would have added one just to try. So if you can swing the cash - like a
good scout: "be prepared."

73 Chris NW6V


Terry N7TB said:
>
> From: <n7tb at comcast.net>
>
>    1.      I am predominantly a CW operator

> 2.      I do enjoy working DX contests, but as a hunt and pounce guy, just
> looking for countries I may have not worked before.  I am not a serious
> contester trying for points and awards.
> 3.      For non-dx contests, I operate at or near QRP levels to see how
> well
> I am getting out on my antennas.
> 4.      I am predominantly a rag chewer on CW,  or casual operator for
> regular CW QSO's.
> 5.      I have two antennas, one a Yagi for 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters.
> The other is an EFHW  for 30 (with tuner) 40 and 80.
>
> I am not sure diversity receive would be all that useful with such
> different
> antennas.
>
>