Doug
During contest work, I seldom use the preamp on bands 160-15M. I find
the preamp is
of use, at least in this point in the sunspot cycle, on 10M. Other than
that, the K3 has plenty
of gain. I want to keep the signal level as low as possible into the
all the mixers of the radio.
When I work someone, all I'm interested in is hearing the signal; I
don't care if he's S0 or S9.
By reducing the signal level into the mixers, I reduce the intermod
created by the mixers.
I also use the ATT and RF Gain to assist in working a pileup. There are
three things that distinguish
a CW signal: Pitch, speed, and signal strength. If I use AGC, the
signal strength of signals
between S6 and S9+ all tend to equalize somewhat, so I lose one of the 3
variables that help
me copy any one signal. If I use AGC Off, I can more clearly hear the
difference between an
S6 and an S8 signal. If I reduce RF gain and/or add ATT, I can now hear
only the S8 signals.
As I work the pileup down, I increase RF Gain and turn off the ATT.
I use the same technique for any radio that I may be using.
Nice to have worked you in many contests, and I hope to work you a bunch
in the future.
Dennis W1UE
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