This Field Day I operated once again with W4EZ the Orange County Radio
Amateurs in Hillsborough, NC in an 8A effort. It was a lot of work
setting up 6 towers and many wire antennas in mid-90° heat and high
humidity but the end result was a lot of fun and Qs.
Despite our best efforts at eliminating cross-interference between
stations beforehand by antenna placement, we suffered quite a bit of
in-band phase noise interference. All three CW stations and one SSB
station were using K3s, and no K3 station ever interfered with anyone
else or with each other. Much credit is due to Elecraft for the
transmit purity and receive performance of this superb rig. However, we
experienced some pretty severe in-band phase noise interference ranging
from S3-4 on 40 and 20M from various YaeComWood rigs, to an
ear-shattering received S8-9 from a TS-570 running SSB on 15M when the
noise floor was S0. Granted, with relatively close antenna spacing
Field Day is a torture test for transmit purity, but sometimes it was
difficult to tolerate...or operate.
Many of us now agree we would optimally be an all K3 Field Day next year
but that is most likely out of the question. I am a big fan of the KX3,
although for Field Day purposes it would be great if its phase noise was
10-20 dB less; more in line with that of the K3. That being said, a KX3
running digi caused less interference than just about all the
non-Elecraft rigs.
One problem solving this scenario is the political issue of trying to
tell someone they cannot bring their rig to the party. We did discuss
holding a testing session next year to evaluate phase noise beforehand
and accept or deny use of the rig based on performance, and maybe this
will be viewed as being more impartial. After witnessing the problem
first-hand, at least one op said he was intending to get an Elecraft
rig. Elecraft owners are in the minority overall, so instead of Field
Day being an inclusive club event, telling people it will be K3 only
would achieve the opposite.
Other than the phase noise issue, FD was once again a lot of fun and
camaraderie!
Cheers & 73,
Howie - WA4PSC
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