Posted by
David Gilbert on
Dec 05, 2011; 5:39pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Fw-CQ-WW-DX-Contest-CW-2011-Unofficial-claimed-scores-tp7060148p7063795.html
"The only time I heard mush on the K3 was when we had worked down the
pileup and only had very low strength guys all calling on the same
frequency (the packet/reverse beacon spotting phenomenon)."
Multiple low level signals close in frequency is EXACTLY the situation
that I and at least several others are concerned about. I don't notice
the problem on stronger signals either, and my low level hearing is
still pretty good. Operating from ZF-land where you almost always have
somebody strong calling you is not the typical situation many of the
rest of us experience from our home QTH's, and I would therefore expect
that you are less likely to experience the problem. Great sensitivity
and dynamic range are less useful if what you hear cannot be deciphered.
By the way, it has been pointed out to me that "mush" may not be the
best descriptor for what I hear, and I agree with that. I think "blur"
might be a better term. When the problem shows up I can distinguish the
individual tones (the signals are not dead zero beat) but the crispness
of the keying disappears. It's as if something is filling in the spaces
between the keying elements, and I tend to believe that the culprits are
the sum/difference products of other nearby signals that happen to
overlap the signal I'm trying to copy.
73,
Dave AB7E
On 12/5/2011 8:34 AM, K5WA wrote:
> I really can't agree with the mush comment. I've just returned from ZF1A
> where we put almost 8000 Qs in the log over the CQWW CW weekend. I took my
> K3 and was able to evaluate it against the station's existing TS-850 since
> we were M/S and rotated positions. In my opinion, the 850 WAS mushy and the
> K3 was very clear however, K6AM, our host (who is a VERY serious contester),
> prefers the 850 since he has been using it for 10 years. He also owns 4 K3s
> but didn't bring them on the trip since the 850s "live" in Cayman and he
> brought many pounds of other equipment. Personal preference plays a huge
> part of this discussion. In this case, K6AM feels like his hearing is
> limited to a frequency range of 6-7K while mine is still near 20K. Maybe
> that is part of the puzzle.
>
> We regularly saw the 10 minute QSO rate meter in the 300 range and topped
> 400 occasionally. I loved the way the K3 was able to plow through the
> pileups which were calling us and work through them as fast as possible.
> The only time I heard mush on the K3 was when we had worked down the pileup
> and only had very low strength guys all calling on the same frequency (the
> packet/reverse beacon spotting phenomenon). These must have been micro-watt
> QRP'ers or stations with minimal/indoor antennas. I had my AGC on and
> didn't have any time to try multiple settings but I am extremely happy with
> the K3's receiver and think it is in the high end competition grade for me.
>
> I am sending Eric my configuration file as he requested in case he is able
> to find an improvement but I will be amazed if one can be found. I've
> always been extremely happy with Elecraft's commitment and motivation to
> exceed expectations but they have already exceeded mine as it is. ;-)
>
> 73,
> Bob K5WA
>
>
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