Re: K3 160M Diversity Users

Posted by Bill W4ZV on Jul 25, 2009; 2:26am
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/K3-160M-Diversity-Users-tp3322951p3323855.html

W4UM wrote:

> What are your recommendation if I were to get only
one pair of filters?  

I would go with either the 500 or 400 8-poles.

> Is there any real value to getting a pair of narrow
(200Hz or 250Hz) filters as well as a pair of the wider (400Hz or 500Hz) CW
filters, or am I just wasting money?  

I have a 200 Hz in my Main in addition to 500 Hz 8-poles in Main and Sub.  If you contest or are in huge simplex pileups, there are definitely times when the 200 Hz may be useful.  For some reason I don't understand, I have no offset warbling when setting WIDTH to 200 (which enables the 200 Hz in Main and 500 Hz in Sub).  Most of the time when listening to weak signals, I use 350-500 Hz WIDTH so a pair of 500 Hz filters is fine excluding the extreme cases of simplex pileups or a strong station nearby (e.g. the CQ 160 CW contest).

> Is there a noticeable difference between the 5-pole and 8-pole filters?  

I used 5-pole 500s in my first K3 and have not noticed a significant difference with the 8-poles, but I've not compared them simultaneously.  As you stated, there's little cost difference (after the matching charge) so I went with the 8-pole 500 Hz when it became available.  I personally prefer a slightly wider BW than the 400 Hz allows but that's another option some choose.

You'll love diversity on 160 and 80, especially if you have good RX antennas.  I use my TX antenna (similar to a 4-square) in one RX and Beverages in the other, and I use diversity 99% of the time on the low bands.  I would never own any rig without diversity now that I've used it.

73,  Bill  W4ZV