I am pleased to see the recent postings about K3 receiver noise, which hopefully will result in a resolution for those of us who experience this.
Previously this subject has been broached on several occasions, but on each time answered by the “No problem here” camp with somewhat vague suggestions to play and learn how to use the AGC settings or RX Equal. and usually ending with “one set up will not suit all” statement. Like several others, I also have a FT1000MP to make direct comparisons with. There is no question the K3 has a significant noisier background, and the FT1000mp is much more relaxing to listen to. This remaining true after many fruitless “fiddling sessions” attempting to improve the K3 noise. Reducing RF gain helps but not significantly. I have not done comparison tests with S Meters etc. as others have, but that was principally because I was convinced the problem was my inability to set the K3 up correctly. Comments from a growing number of owners , suggest this is not so. IN ALL OTHER RESPECTS, I AM DELIGHTED WITH THE K3. Interestingly, I find the “noise issue” incidental on CW. Happily that is my main mode of operation. If I used SSB on a regular basis my satisfaction would be much less. I think the CW thing is the ear/brain filtering/ignoring anything other than the signal of interest. Where does this leave us? Simply stated the K3 has a problem or not. 1. If No K3 problem. We have to accept that we have a fine radio, but one which a significant number of customers are unable to tweak to reach a background noise level as good as competitive radios. K3 has a problem. It almost certainly is not all K3's. Some well respected and critical users are well pleased. So is there Unit to Unit ,or Batch to Batch variability.? What about the DSP audio filter board that there has been a couple of very favorable comments? Is this a design change addressing this issue.? Elecraft have typically been up front with problems, and very effective at resolving them. With the noise issue they are strangly quiet. Its been suggested they do not hear the problem, possibly taking comfort from the “No problem here” lobby. For those with the issue--”No problem here” is of little comfort. ______________________________________________________________ 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
