[TenTec] Re: Al Gavenas' position on Front-End atenuation

[Allan Henry Kaplan]

The article to which Mr. Gavenas refers was, alas, one of the most
misinformed and misleading pieces to ever appear in QST!  Sometimes you
can decrease the effect of atmospheric noise as a distraction to a
wanted signal by turning down the "RF Gain" or inserting an RF
atenuator.  The catch is:  That strategy works only if the desired
signal is substantially louder than the noise.  If the signal is weak --
not a whole lot greater than the external noise -- RF attenuation (or
gain control) will degrade the net signal-to-noise ratio.  If one runs
the AF gain wide open and controls speaker-blasting with the RF gain, he
emphasizes the receiver's internal hum and noise with respect to the
weak signal.  In many cases, the weaker signals simply will not be
heard!

Running AF gain wide open and riding the RF gain control is just BAD
ADVICE unless you are in a QSO with pretty loud signals -- KWs across
town on 75 meters, perhaps.   If you are after DX or QRP that is the
WRONG way to go.
73, Allan, W1AEL.