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

[Zack Widup]

Yeah, that's why I said there are better rigs that can be used.

This is probably a great radio for those who want to listen to general
coverage shortwave and non-weak-signal stations through the lower microwave
region.

73, Zack W9SZ

On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 1:58 PM, Marciniak, Ed <emarciniak at mnits.net> wrote:

> Isn't 0.4uV 24db worse (power) sensitivity than the close to 0.1uV on a
> really good transceiver?
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net <nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
> To: NLRS List <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
>  Sent: Wed Aug 26 12:44:57 2009
> Subject: Re: [NLRS] [BC'ers] Use of Icom PCR receiver for contesting?
>
>
>
> Whoops, I overlooked the fact it doesn't do SSB or CW above 1300 MHz. It
> might work on 1296 but for the stability.
>
> There are other SDR radios on the market that are better suited to
> weak-signal work on the microwave bands. A couple were presented at the
> CSVHF conference.
>
> I did work W9SNR once on 10 GHz with NBFM using my FT290RII as the IF rig
> when I had a serious stability problem on transmit. My only FM microwave
> QSO!
>
> 73, Zack W9SZ
>
> On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:36 PM, John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK <
> hamk9jk at ameritech.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > 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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