K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

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K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

dennis rosenbalm

Conventional wisdom historically has been that a receiver preamp is not
used at 40 meters and below primarily because it is not needed, indeed
it would typically degrade receiver performance. So why is it necessary
to engage the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at
the appropriate level of other receivers?
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Don Wilhelm-4
The original question was *NOT* about the K3, but the KX3 which is
different than the K3 due to a different design architecture.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/13/2012 9:39 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Conventional wisdom historically has been that a receiver preamp is not
> used at 40 meters and below primarily because it is not needed, indeed
> it would typically degrade receiver performance. So why is it necessary
> to engage the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at
> the appropriate level of other receivers?
>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

N0AZZ
In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm
On my FTDX-5000MP I never had the preamp on for anything below 40m all it
did was increase noise. All that was ever done was to use the DNR to bring
the signal up out of the noise floor a lot of the time for a signal only saw
on a spot you had to bring it find it with the DNR on that frequency. As I
have said this is a point that the 5000 does better than my K3's about the
only one though.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 8:39 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters


Conventional wisdom historically has been that a receiver preamp is not used
at 40 meters and below primarily because it is not needed, indeed it would
typically degrade receiver performance. So why is it necessary to engage the
20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at the appropriate
level of other receivers?
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Richard Fjeld
In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm
I think it may be due to my final comment, but first, some info.

My pre-amp is off and the ATT is on 90% of the time.  I seldom turn on the
pre-amp. With the pre-amp off, and the ATT on, I consistently hear guys
breaking in that the others in the group do not hear, and they run good
equipment. They comment on it, and believe it is due to my antenna.  The
apex of my antenna is only 40 feet high. One of them has a 100 foot tower.
I believe it is due to resonance. Read on.

I would suspect antenna not resonant, or working with a swr that is not
optimum for the frequency.  (You need both.)   Emphasis is given to swr for
transmit out of concern for the finals, but I discovered years ago how
important a 1.0:1 swr is for receive. Anything less is a compromise in
receive performance.

You say "to 'hear' an S9 signal".  That has me curious.  S9 is RF, hearing
is AF.  Still pondering....

The K3 is calibrated for S9 at -50 uV with the pre-amp on. This may be the
answer to your question. It could also be that you need to calibrate your
S-meter.  The XG-2 works well for that.

Good luck,
Rich, n0ce


----- Original Message -----
From: <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 8:39 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters


>
> Conventional wisdom historically has been that a receiver preamp is not
> used at 40 meters and below primarily because it is not needed, indeed
> it would typically degrade receiver performance. So why is it necessary
> to engage the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at
> the appropriate level of other receivers?
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Guy, K2AV
In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm
Preamp on K3 is 11 dB, not 20.  The range, using preamp or ATT, is 20 dB.
 I always run the attenuator on 160 and 80 TX antennas, and the preamp on
some of my listening antennas.

73, Guy

On Tue, Nov 13, 2012 at 9:39 AM, <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Conventional wisdom historically has been that a receiver preamp is not
> used at 40 meters and below primarily because it is not needed, indeed
> it would typically degrade receiver performance. So why is it necessary
> to engage the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at
> the appropriate level of other receivers?
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Don Wilhelm-4
In reply to this post by Richard Fjeld
The K3 S-meter can be calibrated with either the preamp on or off. I run
with SMTR  MD set to ABS, and I calibrate the S-meter with the preamp
off because of that.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/13/2012 12:39 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:

> I think it may be due to my final comment, but first, some info.
>
> My pre-amp is off and the ATT is on 90% of the time.  I seldom turn on the
> pre-amp. With the pre-amp off, and the ATT on, I consistently hear guys
> breaking in that the others in the group do not hear, and they run good
> equipment. They comment on it, and believe it is due to my antenna.  The
> apex of my antenna is only 40 feet high. One of them has a 100 foot tower.
> I believe it is due to resonance. Read on.
>
> I would suspect antenna not resonant, or working with a swr that is not
> optimum for the frequency.  (You need both.)   Emphasis is given to swr for
> transmit out of concern for the finals, but I discovered years ago how
> important a 1.0:1 swr is for receive. Anything less is a compromise in
> receive performance.
>
> You say "to 'hear' an S9 signal".  That has me curious.  S9 is RF, hearing
> is AF.  Still pondering....
>
> The K3 is calibrated for S9 at -50 uV with the pre-amp on. This may be the
> answer to your question. It could also be that you need to calibrate your
> S-meter.  The XG-2 works well for that.
>
>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Richard Fjeld
In reply to this post by Richard Fjeld
In all fairness, I have to append this.  I held off saying what I wanted to
because I knew of someone who would be watching this reflector, and I didn't
want my comments out to 'the group'.

I said  "I believe it is due to resonance" and it is as far as the antenna
is concerned.  I also believe it is due to the K3.  I bought it for my last
sun cycle, and it has been a pure enjoyment for me.  I'm not a 'nectar'
drinker, if you get the connection.  It just wouldn't be right to not
acknowledge the excellent receiver.  The NR is effective for man-made noise.
I would like to see it better on atmospheric noise, but I don't know if that
will be possible.

I bought the K3 for it's operating conveniences, and it's reputation as a
good receiver which I have found to be accurate.  I am especially pleased
with the filtering.  Since I got the P3 and can see the signals beside my
passband that I am not hearing, I have been amazed.

In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.

Rich, n0ce

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Fjeld" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Cc: "elecraft posting" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters


>I think it may be due to my final comment, but first, some info.
>
> My pre-amp is off and the ATT is on 90% of the time.  I seldom turn on the
> pre-amp. With the pre-amp off, and the ATT on, I consistently hear guys
> breaking in that the others in the group do not hear, and they run good
> equipment. They comment on it, and believe it is due to my antenna.  The
> apex of my antenna is only 40 feet high. One of them has a 100 foot tower.
> I believe it is due to resonance. Read on.
>
> I would suspect antenna not resonant, or working with a swr that is not
> optimum for the frequency.  (You need both.)   Emphasis is given to swr
> for
> transmit out of concern for the finals, but I discovered years ago how
> important a 1.0:1 swr is for receive. Anything less is a compromise in
> receive performance.
>
> You say "to 'hear' an S9 signal".  That has me curious.  S9 is RF, hearing
> is AF.  Still pondering....
>
> The K3 is calibrated for S9 at -50 uV with the pre-amp on. This may be the
> answer to your question. It could also be that you need to calibrate your
> S-meter.  The XG-2 works well for that.
>
> Good luck,
> Rich, n0ce
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 8:39 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters
>
>
>>
>> Conventional wisdom historically has been that a receiver preamp is not
>> used at 40 meters and below primarily because it is not needed, indeed
>> it would typically degrade receiver performance. So why is it necessary
>> to engage the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at
>> the appropriate level of other receivers?
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Richard Fjeld
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Yes, good point.  I assumed when I should have been more specific.  With the
P3, I have the best of both worlds.

I 'presume' most K3's are adjusted from the factory per the manual with the
pre-amp on, at -50 uV = S9.

Rich, n0ce

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 12:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters


> The K3 S-meter can be calibrated with either the preamp on or off. I run
> with SMTR  MD set to ABS, and I calibrate the S-meter with the preamp
> off because of that.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Tony Estep
In reply to this post by Richard Fjeld
On Tue, Nov 13, 2012 at 1:13 PM, Richard Fjeld <[hidden email]>wrote:

> ...even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.....
>
=============
It's true that reception is often better if the antenna is matched, but
this doesn't mean that the antenna has to be resonant. An antenna's
resonance or non-resonance does not determine its gain or directivity. It
only determines whether or not it presents a reactive load at its input
terminals. If an antenna does present a reactive load, a tuner can match it
so that the receiver sees the correct resistive impedance. You will hear a
lot more with a non-resonant curtain, rhombic or log-periodic aimed in the
right direction than you will with a resonant ground-plane. A half-hour
spent with EZNec looking at the gain and radiation patterns of long-wire
antennas of various lengths will dispel many misconceptions.

Tony KT0NY


--
http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Rick Stealey
In reply to this post by Richard Fjeld


>
> In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.
>


Nah.

Rick  K2XT
     
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

David Gilbert
In reply to this post by Richard Fjeld

Particularly as far as receiving goes, that's a totally erroneous
statement that has been dispelled many, many times.  There is nothing
magical or beneficial about a resonant antenna short of the fact that it
sometimes makes it easier to match.  Check out how (and how well) a
Beverage antenna or one of the flag/pennant antennas work for receiving
to see the fallacy of your comment.

The key to a good receive antenna is having a pattern that discriminates
against QRM or QRN as the case may be.  As long as there is enough low
noise gain after the antenna all else is misconception.

Dave   AB7E



On 11/13/2012 12:13 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
>
> In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.
>
> Rich, n0ce
>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Don Wilhelm-4
Yes, I agree.

Given a bit of "benefit of doubt", I would think the poster would have
better said, an antenna "tuned to resonance" rather than a resonant antenna.
Many very good antennas are not inherently resonant, but resonance (and
therefore good power transfer) is achieved by means of some kind of
tuning mechanism.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/13/2012 6:21 PM, David Gilbert wrote:

> Particularly as far as receiving goes, that's a totally erroneous
> statement that has been dispelled many, many times.  There is nothing
> magical or beneficial about a resonant antenna short of the fact that it
> sometimes makes it easier to match.  Check out how (and how well) a
> Beverage antenna or one of the flag/pennant antennas work for receiving
> to see the fallacy of your comment.
>
> The key to a good receive antenna is having a pattern that discriminates
> against QRM or QRN as the case may be.  As long as there is enough low
> noise gain after the antenna all else is misconception.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
> On 11/13/2012 12:13 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
>> In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.
>>
>> Rich, n0ce
>>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

David Gilbert

Even that misses the point, I'm afraid.  Remember that the original
comment referred to the receive capability of an antenna.

The only thing that matching or "tuning to resonance" does is improve
the amplitude of the combined signal and noise feeding the rig ... it
does not improve the signal to noise ratio.  A good receiving antenna,
however, has some pattern to it that captures the desired signal while
discriminating against unwanted noise, whether the noise is man made or
atmospheric.  A Beverage antenna, for example, has quite a strong
pattern in one direction so it has a good signal to noise ratio feeding
the rig.  A Beverage is pretty inefficient, though, and the desired
signal is pretty weak, so typically a matching transformer (9:1 or so)
is used to optimize the signal transfer and a low noise preamp (either
in the rig or external) is also used ... but the signal to noise ratio
is determined by the antenna independent of whether it is matched or
not.  I guarantee that an unmatched Beverage with enough low noise gain
after it will outperform any practical resonant or matched ("tuned to
resonance") antenna available to hams.

73,
Dave   AB7E




On 11/13/2012 4:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Yes, I agree.
>
> Given a bit of "benefit of doubt", I would think the poster would have
> better said, an antenna "tuned to resonance" rather than a resonant antenna.
> Many very good antennas are not inherently resonant, but resonance (and
> therefore good power transfer) is achieved by means of some kind of
> tuning mechanism.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 11/13/2012 6:21 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>> Particularly as far as receiving goes, that's a totally erroneous
>> statement that has been dispelled many, many times.  There is nothing
>> magical or beneficial about a resonant antenna short of the fact that it
>> sometimes makes it easier to match.  Check out how (and how well) a
>> Beverage antenna or one of the flag/pennant antennas work for receiving
>> to see the fallacy of your comment.
>>
>> The key to a good receive antenna is having a pattern that discriminates
>> against QRM or QRN as the case may be.  As long as there is enough low
>> noise gain after the antenna all else is misconception.
>>
>> Dave   AB7E
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/13/2012 12:13 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
>>> In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.
>>>
>>> Rich, n0ce
>>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Richard Fjeld
Okay, digest this;  my budget allows an 80 meter delta loop fed with open
wire and I tune it with a manual tuner. As far as my radio is concerned, it
looks at a resonant antenna system allowing a  maximum transfer of power on
both transmit and receive.  Any fault with that statement?

We are way off the original post which was asking why he had to "to engage
the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at  the
appropriate level of other receivers?"

Now I know why people reply off line.

Rich, n0ce

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Gilbert" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters


>
> Even that misses the point, I'm afraid.  Remember that the original
> comment referred to the receive capability of an antenna.
>
> The only thing that matching or "tuning to resonance" does is improve
> the amplitude of the combined signal and noise feeding the rig ... it
> does not improve the signal to noise ratio.  A good receiving antenna,
> however, has some pattern to it that captures the desired signal while
> discriminating against unwanted noise, whether the noise is man made or
> atmospheric.  A Beverage antenna, for example, has quite a strong
> pattern in one direction so it has a good signal to noise ratio feeding
> the rig.  A Beverage is pretty inefficient, though, and the desired
> signal is pretty weak, so typically a matching transformer (9:1 or so)
> is used to optimize the signal transfer and a low noise preamp (either
> in the rig or external) is also used ... but the signal to noise ratio
> is determined by the antenna independent of whether it is matched or
> not.  I guarantee that an unmatched Beverage with enough low noise gain
> after it will outperform any practical resonant or matched ("tuned to
> resonance") antenna available to hams.
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
>
> On 11/13/2012 4:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Yes, I agree.
>>
>> Given a bit of "benefit of doubt", I would think the poster would have
>> better said, an antenna "tuned to resonance" rather than a resonant
>> antenna.
>> Many very good antennas are not inherently resonant, but resonance (and
>> therefore good power transfer) is achieved by means of some kind of
>> tuning mechanism.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 11/13/2012 6:21 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>>> Particularly as far as receiving goes, that's a totally erroneous
>>> statement that has been dispelled many, many times.  There is nothing
>>> magical or beneficial about a resonant antenna short of the fact that it
>>> sometimes makes it easier to match.  Check out how (and how well) a
>>> Beverage antenna or one of the flag/pennant antennas work for receiving
>>> to see the fallacy of your comment.
>>>
>>> The key to a good receive antenna is having a pattern that discriminates
>>> against QRM or QRN as the case may be.  As long as there is enough low
>>> noise gain after the antenna all else is misconception.
>>>
>>> Dave   AB7E
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/13/2012 12:13 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:
>>>> In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.
>>>>
>>>> Rich, n0ce
>>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>
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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

David Gilbert

Well ... you made your statement (that even a good receiver needs a
resonant antenna, and you were talking about how you could hear stations
breaking in that nobody else could, remember?)  to the list so I replied
to the list.  How is that wrong?  If I reply to you offline others on
the list won't realize that you are wrong and the erroneous impressions
about resonant antennas never die as they should.

But, yes ... there is something inherently wrong with your impression
that an antenna system that facilitates maximum transfer of power will
also be the best receive antenna.   If you reread my comment below you
will see that maximum signal-to-noise ratio ... not maximum signal and
noise combined ... is what makes a better receive antenna.  There is
lots of information on the topic of receive antennas all over the
internet.  You can either research it yourself so that you are able to
understand it or not ... your choice.

Dave   AB7E


On 11/13/2012 9:25 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote:

> Okay, digest this;  my budget allows an 80 meter delta loop fed with
> open wire and I tune it with a manual tuner. As far as my radio is
> concerned, it looks at a resonant antenna system allowing a  maximum
> transfer of power on both transmit and receive.  Any fault with that
> statement?
>
> We are way off the original post which was asking why he had to "to
> engage the 20 dB preamp on the K3 to get it to hear an S9 signal at  
> the appropriate level of other receivers?"
>
> Now I know why people reply off line.
>
> Rich, n0ce
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Gilbert"
> <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 6:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters
>
>
>>
>> Even that misses the point, I'm afraid.  Remember that the original
>> comment referred to the receive capability of an antenna.
>>
>> The only thing that matching or "tuning to resonance" does is improve
>> the amplitude of the combined signal and noise feeding the rig ... it
>> does not improve the signal to noise ratio.  A good receiving antenna,
>> however, has some pattern to it that captures the desired signal while
>> discriminating against unwanted noise, whether the noise is man made or
>> atmospheric.  A Beverage antenna, for example, has quite a strong
>> pattern in one direction so it has a good signal to noise ratio feeding
>> the rig.  A Beverage is pretty inefficient, though, and the desired
>> signal is pretty weak, so typically a matching transformer (9:1 or so)
>> is used to optimize the signal transfer and a low noise preamp (either
>> in the rig or external) is also used ... but the signal to noise ratio
>> is determined by the antenna independent of whether it is matched or
>> not.  I guarantee that an unmatched Beverage with enough low noise gain
>> after it will outperform any practical resonant or matched ("tuned to
>> resonance") antenna available to hams.
>>
>> 73,
>> Dave   AB7E
>>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Scott Manthe-2
The real problem is that N0CE made his comment about "resonant" antennas
to protect the feelings of his insecure buddies, at least one of whom
reads this list, so they wouldn't be offended by the fact that his K3
hears better on 40 meters than the "good equipment" (read: high dollar
rigs) that the rest of his "group" uses.

To each his own. If it were up to me, I'd get a more secure group to
hang out with. I tell people I know every day how well my K3 works, even
if they own rigs that cost more than twice as much as the K3 does. Of
course, I'm not terribly popular with those guys, either... ;)

73,
Scott, N9AA


On 11/14/12 12:35 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
> Well ... you made your statement (that even a good receiver needs a
> resonant antenna, and you were talking about how you could hear stations
> breaking in that nobody else could, remember?)  to the list so I replied
> to the list.  How is that wrong?  If I reply to you offline others on
> the list won't realize that you are wrong and the erroneous impressions
> about resonant antennas never die as they should.
>
>

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Re: K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

Richard Fjeld
I'm glad there are people like you Scott.

I'll take back the term 'resonant antenna' and change it to 'good antenna'
to keep folks happy.

I should have included the word 'system' also.  Let's end this before Eric
does.

Rich, n0ce


----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Manthe" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 12:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters


> The real problem is that N0CE made his comment about "resonant" antennas
> to protect the feelings of his insecure buddies, at least one of whom
> reads this list, so they wouldn't be offended by the fact that his K3
> hears better on 40 meters than the "good equipment" (read: high dollar
> rigs) that the rest of his "group" uses.
>
> To each his own. If it were up to me, I'd get a more secure group to
> hang out with. I tell people I know every day how well my K3 works, even
> if they own rigs that cost more than twice as much as the K3 does. Of
> course, I'm not terribly popular with those guys, either... ;)
>
> 73,
> Scott, N9AA
>
>
> On 11/14/12 12:35 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
>> Well ... you made your statement (that even a good receiver needs a
>> resonant antenna, and you were talking about how you could hear stations
>> breaking in that nobody else could, remember?)  to the list so I replied
>> to the list.  How is that wrong?  If I reply to you offline others on
>> the list won't realize that you are wrong and the erroneous impressions
>> about resonant antennas never die as they should.
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 

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