I've done this, or as close to it as I can get. Yes, there is a big difference.
I hook up 2 rigs to the same antenna and then feed their audio outputs (speaker outs) into a mixing board. I adjust the audio to give the best S/N ratio on the rig and then trim each channel on the mixer to get both rigs at the same level in the headphones. I can then listen to one rig or the other (or one in each ear) by just sliding volume faders up and down or hitting a mute button. In this way, I'm using the same antenna, tuning the same signal at the same time and listening on the same headphones. The only difference is the rig itself. I've done this test with various combinations of R4A, 2B, IC-735, TS-830s, TenTec Omni V, K1 and K2. What I've found is that the differences between rigs are shown more clearly with this sort of rapid A/B testing. You can really hear the differences in AGC action, IF passband width, frequency response, distortion levels and general grunge or harsh sound. There really is a difference. No, we are not just chasing numbers. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - - K3 Wave 3 - -----Original Message----- If a ham were to sit down in front of all the top rigs, blind folded and not allowed to touch them, would he or she be able to pick out the one with the best receiver by just using his or her ears? ... is there really a difference in the lab numbers as close as they are or are we just chasing numbers? Gary, N7HTS _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
