Re: K3 in a cw pileup - needs work

Posted by Barry N1EU on Feb 07, 2010; 1:00am
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/K3-in-a-cw-pileup-needs-work-tp4523884p4527626.html

Barry N1EU wrote

You need to maximize your rf/af dynamic range - that is what is going to turn that mush into a beautiful symphony of distinct signals of varying levels.  What has worked well for me is AGC off (although AGC on works fine as well), high isolation headphones, and the gain throttling techniques (most important) described by K3NA, W4ZV, myself, and others.

Just to continue from previous post - I experienced only mush in pileup reception until fully adopting this technique.  High isolation headphones are critical because you want to set gain such that weak signals are lightly heard but clearly copiable.  You're maximizing the receive dynamic range delivered to your ears and the high isolation means you can clearly hear fainter signals without turning up the gain and squashing the dynamic range (and too frequently engaging AF Limiter with AGC Off).  

73,
Barry N1EU