[NLRS] [BC'ers] Use of Icom PCR receiver for contesting?

[John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK]

David and Zack,

Well...since it does NOT demodulate SSB or CW above 1300 MHz 
("microwave frequencies")...will one ever see an a "problem" 
with being potentially 14 kHz off at 2304 MHz...possibly in 
"narrow" FM, maybe not in "Wide FM" (and it might have the 
ability to lock/AFC to the received carrier up in those 
frequencies). Of course "we" don't typically use FM for weak 
signal work.

The published "sensitivity" of 0.40 uV for 10dB S/N in SSB/CW is 
"reasonable", especially if they really DO meet it from 50 - 
699.999 MHz. Noise Figure *might* be an issue, though, and how 
does it perform with other strong signals in or near the band of 
interest, a common "opportunity" with broadbanded Front Ends on 
VHF Receivers where intermodulation can produce 'phantom' 
signals that might cover up a signal of interest.

For general interest "scanning" and/or Shortwave listening, 
maybe okay...I'd personally take a different approach for trying 
to monitor "weak signal" action/contesting.

73, JK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Zack Widup" <w9sz.zack at gmail.com>
To: "NLRS List" <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:09
Subject: Re: [NLRS] Use of Icom PCR receiver for contesting?


>
>
> That's pretty impressive. It does say it includes SSB and CW 
> modes. You can
> always make up for sensitivity with an LNA.
>
> The frequency stability might be its downside. Plus or minus 3 
> ppm is
> about 14 kHz at 2304 MHz. That's about 800 Hz at 144 MHz. It 
> might do OK at
> VHF but I don't know about microwave frequencies.
>
> 73, Zack W9SZ
>
> On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM, David Palm 
> <thepalmhq at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Has anybody considered using one of the ICOM PCR series 
>> receivers for
>> contesting, perhaps for monitoring bands for activity while 
>> operating
>> elsewhere?
>>
>> http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/1500.html
>>
>> Do these receivers have sufficient sensitivity to be useful 
>> for this kind
>> of
>> weak signal work?
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>>
>> David  W9HQ
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