Bill W4ZV wrote: > > Think of it this way...if you're trying to listen to an extremely weak > signal, would you like a 17.7 dB attenuator between it and your ears? I > don't think so. >
Julian, G4ILO wrote: > > But this is not a 17.7db attenuator in the front end. The signal will have > been amplified by the time it gets to this point. So the noise will be > attenuated as well as the signal. Perhaps it won't be as sensitive, but > the loss won't be as much as 17dB. I find it hard to accept your > implication that Elecraft designed an IF output that is effectively > useless. > Who said it's "effectively useless"? Please read the following from N8LP: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Buffer-Mod-tt741709.html#a760307 In particular, his last sentence below: "The reason I came up with the mod is because a couple users were trying to use CW Skimmer for weak signal detection with LP-PAN feeding it. The mod improves the NF of the IF output by up to 10dB (K3 preamp off, somewhat less with the K3 preamp ON). Even though the NF of LP-PAN itself is quite good, it can't do anything to improve the system NF since it's downstream of the loss." If you're using the K3's IF OUT & LP-PAN as a simple panadaptor, it's probably OK as is. If you're trying to use a waterfall in PowerSDR, Winrad or CW Skimmer to detect noise floor signals, it's not. Even a $15 Softrock will do a better job of the latter unless the mod is installed. I'm quite happy with N8LP's mod, but let's not bury our heads in the sand and say it's unnecessary. That reminds me of what I'd expect from Yaesu or Icom... 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Buffer-Mod-tp759790p777143.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ 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
