[Icom] Seeking better audio from my IC-746

[Dana Hoggatt]

On Dec 5,  7:53am, <awallacejr@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
} Subject: Re: [Icom] Seeking better audio from my IC-746
} 
} In other words, disable every radio
} feature designed to help pick weak
} signals out of the noise. :-)
} 
} Andy   K5VM


It can seem that way sometimes.   8)

Some of the features do "alter" the signal in their efforts
to reduce noise.  The hope is that the noise reduction
offsets the signal degradation.  Most of the time, like
in contesting and DX chasing, the tradeoff is pretty good.

I routinely encounter two groups that find the tradeoff
to be unacceptable:  SWL and HiFi/TX fans.  Trying to
understand and chronicle their efforts has taught me a lot.

For example, many operators use too much RF gain,
overloading the IF chain.  I was astonished at how
little I actually need the pre-amps.  That extra 10 db of
sensitivity comes at a price:  10 db reduction in the BDR
and a 20db degrdation in the 3rd order intercept.

Nowdays, I use most of the tools "as needed", rather
than blindly leaving them on all the time.

Dana, KB9SSS