SSB OPERATIONAL test opinion--
All tests done with max use of all controls to give best sig... so each rig was adjusted differently but to the best function I could obtain for each rig: First test is on a very weak ssb sig with qsb (just barely readable): 9= fully readable for a good contest exchange, ng for rag chew. DNR slow on uptake (a fraction of time before DNR kicked in when the sig first comes on, but after that, very readable with "pinched" audio range). DNR used with Contour which boosted audio output and increased copy. Without DNR, wider audio but reduced readability and no delay. "u-Tune" always on at center setting. 3= ok for contest, ng rag chew. K3 had to have a discernable level of more band noises to give same readabilty, and with NR on, audio is also decidedly "pinched." NB on mid-range; NR made copy discernably worse at all settings, some more than others. 1= Just not as sensitive, about 80% where other two were 90%; using NB at 5H worked better, NR no help at all, so was kept off. Listening included lots of "live band" noise to go with lesser signal. When "live band" noise went down (as tho band is going out), the desired sig was more readable proportionally --readable beyond what one would expect. As on CW, the ONE delivered a more pleasant sounding sig than the other two, but only when the sig built up to move the S meter; otherwise, I missed more % of copy. Weak sig sum... 9 most comfortable to listen to, but 3 very close behind. 1 got nice only with stronger sigs. Lightning on horizon and other Noises: 9= "Pinched audio" is there, but the punch of the static crashes were bearable. "u-Tune" and DNR and Contour on. 3=Static crashes caused a kind of pumping with NB and NR on and adjusted to damp the crashes (AGC on fast really was uncomfortable; slow, more bearable). NB alone was best for readability, but the crashes were definitely worse in sharp peaks of noise. Higher pitch band noise than other two, ORION 1 bass helped somewhat, see below. 1= More bass made noise more bearable. Used NB 5H; but switching the NR1 on with this vy weak sig just cut the rcvr output to zero. With only NB 5H, bass crashes hurt ears less than 9 and K3. However, total sig readability was not as good, and in fact, the reallyweak sig was discernable but not readable in QSB nulls (not as gud as other two). Overall SSB usage: The FT9000d was the SSB rig I wanted to listen to for weak sigs on 20m SSB. K3 was a close second, but the K3 will spoil u with its superior CW rcvr and leave you wanting on SSBdue to the contrast with CW if nothing else. Strong sigs sounded more natural and pleasant on the Orion One where the strong sig overcame band noise and lightning static. IF I HAD TO KEEP ONLY ONE: it would be the 9000d because I do mostly SSB and I REALLY enjoy all the knobs and especially the reasonably functional bandscope. Using the K3 after the 9000 made me search the k3 dial for more info. If I did CW mostly, I would try to add more visuals, remote keypad/tune knob etc. to the K3 via after market gagets and use only the K3 because it is a CW dream machine. ORION has vy nice remote keypad/tuning knob and is unique with TWO amplifier keying lines, vy vy nice. Overall, for this appliance operator speaking, the FT9000d is just plain more fun, looking at it, touching it, and using it. 73, end of this opinion stuff. PS: Tnx to DF0HQ whose CQ contest calls provided over 4 hours of perfectly consistent sig levels--weak with QSB, and thanks too to the weather for the correctly-distant lightning static. FT-9000d just in from factory; K3 just back from factory; and ORION ONE is old and using version 1.373b5 (sure wish I cudda included a brand new O TWO). Only other rigs that shoulda been included are IC-7800, 7700, and maybe the OMNI 7. Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED] > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:38:46 +0000 > Subject: [Elecraft] CW version: 3 rigs compared > > > CW OPERATIONAL test--- > > 9= difficult to tune in S-2 CW sig to get rid of strong SSB on nearly same > freq. Never got as good as > > the K3, and ringing sets in at 300 and below. Add DNR with little help if > any. "uTune" is big help but not enuf. > > K3= snap to tune out QRM to the level that the CW was ok copy. Easy to adjust > to copyable sig. > > NR and NB both on at mid settings yielded even better CW copy (40cw with > pirate ssb). NO ringing > > down to .05..... this deserves a "wow". > > 1= I just never could get the CW sig clearly despite turning all knobs. A > surprise. Irritating is the > > Hi Cut tracking changing the PBT setting.... I guess this is a "feature" but > the K3 same controls are > > so much easier to use. ORION guys--I really tried again and again. > > Clear winner: the K3 on CW.... > > on to difficult ssb test. > > > Charles Harpole > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: 3 rigs compared >> Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:09:45 +0000 >> >> >> First pass at USER evaluation of FT-9000d, K3, ORION 1. >> >> Settings were as alike as possible, band had 5 signals from S-7 to S-1 (in >> QSO). 20m ssb. >> >> Same speakers, same ant. >> >> Sensitivity: 9=hiss was high pitched and somewhat irritating (no sig) >> with sig, hiss not discernable. >> >> 3= most quiet with no sig, more base in audio. >> >> 1=similar base, higher hiss than 3, but sigs above S-6 sounded vy natural. >> >> All three on vy weak sig.... could not discern any difference. >> >> NR alone: 9= good result but slow processor (?) caused some "blasting" when >> NR knob turned. >> >> highest setting kills most hiss. Irritating when knob turned. >> >> 3= good result, vy vy small processor delay, highest setting kills most hiss. >> >> 1= great result, vy vy small proc. delay, highest setting kills all hiss. >> >> NB alone: 9=vy gud on ignition noise, kills all; no effect on other noises >> all knob settings. >> >> 3= IF "wide 7" gives some chop on sigs, otherwise good. >> >> DSP "T3-7" same chop. Lower both settings-no effect on no signal condx. >> >> no automobile near by. >> >> 1= H only- no effect on no sig condx; H + 9 gave same result, no car near. >> >> >> "u Tune" 9=Absolutly great, kills many kinds of noise and BCI. A "must have" >> feature! >> >> 3 and 1 = no have. >> >> Quiet idle (ant connected, no sigs.): 9, 3, 1= all same, 3 and 1 more bassy. >> >> Controls: 9= Unequalled for controls of vast number on front panel... Built >> in Display etc., >> >> great fun to use. Bandscope great for this kind with jagged peaks from bottom >> >> of the scale (like all of them now days). Very useful. >> >> 3= Bare bones with lots of multi function knobs, This one is not for the >> knob twiddler. >> >> 1= Two huge tuning knobs good, but weak weak usefulness of band scope... >> mostly useless. >> >> strange sometimes Cut & BW & PBT interact (turn one affects the other in a >> bad way) >> >> sometimes does not do this. AF is more base thus less hiss seems to be there. >> >> Overall score: 9= Best base rig, super fun to play with, performance within >> others' range. >> >> 3= marginally better on sensitivity but too close to really call; not enuf >> knobs. >> >> 1= dull looking, hard to love, but lots of info on-screen; >> >> Very flexible Ant and VFO A/B and Sub. handling. >> >> Can I keep them all, please mom? >> >> >> Charles Harpole >> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> >> > ele > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. 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