A lot depends upon where you operate, Andrew. Dynamic range comes into play most often when you have a very large signal near the same frequency and near you (e.g. field day, Ham next door, etc.)
So, you are right that dynamic range depends upon what signals are being received at a given moment. Sensitivity is a function of bandwidth and frequency as well as 'front end' noise. Every receiver has some internal noise. As long as the noise picked up by your antenna is stronger, it has all the sensitivity you can use. The narrower the bandwidth, the less "antenna" noise will pass through meaning the internal noise must be lower. I don't have a K1, but I have built homebrew receivers using the 612 mixer and with anything approaching an antenna big enough to be useful for transmitting, its internal noise is not a factor up through, at least, 15 MHz. As you know, the higher in frequency you go, the quieter the "antenna" noise. That's why VHF receivers operating over 100 MHz pay so much attention to low noise designs. But on HF it's not such an issue. Since you specifically mention not working in contesting mode, I cannot imagine that you'd be at all disappointed in the K1's performance on any band. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Andrew Moore Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 7:26 PM To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] K1: Dynamic range question The subject of the K1's dynamic range comes up once in a while - about how the 612 mixers (or perhaps other components?) can't deliver the dynamic range that other designs can (such as the K2). This may be over simplifying but you get the idea. Anyway, on to the question: Is the K1's "limited" dynamic range tuned/biased towards weak signal work, or towards handling strong signals, or does it even make sense to think of it this way? Or does the dynamic range move/adapt depending on what signals are being received at a given moment? This probably applies to radio designs in general and not just the K1, but since I was thinking about the K1, that's the list I posted to. Hope the question makes sense. Maybe I should be thinking about sensitivity specs instead of dynamic range, but someone must be able to clue me in. Basically, I'm wondering how well the K1 does for weak signal work, assuming you aren't working in a contesting context with loads of other strong signals nearby. This undoubtedly depends on other factors too, but I'm trying to keep it general. Thanks, --Andrew ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] 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:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
