Dave, It all depends. The recommendations for adjusting the RF Gain control to "just barely hear band noise" is aimed at those who are listening to the K3 audio with headphones (or a speaker). Since signals that are below the band noise level cannot usually be copied, there is no sense in listening to the band noise, so backing off the RF gain is a prudent thing to do given these assumptions. That applies to signals that are normally heard with the ear/brain combination.
Digital modes can sometimes decode signals that are below the band noise level (and there is no need to listen to the trash on the band with one's ears). If one is receiving a digital signal that has this capability, one would want to set the RF Gain control to a point where some band noise is evident - how much you might ask, and the answer is - how many dB below the ambient noise will result in good copy of the digital signal?. That answer will vary from digital mode to digital mode. 73, Don W3FPR David Herring wrote: > Aloha from Hawaii! > > As this is my first post to this reflector, I suppose I should introduce > myself...I'm Dave, K6DCH. QTH Kauai, Hawaii, and I am the satisfied > owner/operator of K3 Serial # 3019. :-) > > I've been reading the various posts recently about how to set up for digital > modes using the Data mode on the K3. I have also been reading the other > posts about how to set the ACG, the RF gain, etc. A question comes to mind > about this: > > Does the advice on dialing back the RF gain, as tendered on this reflector, > apply to when one is running digital? For example, I've recently started > playing with Olivia since it is noted for weak signal robustness. Would I > run the rig with the RF gain wide open, or would I still dial it back to the > point where the S meter just stops flickering? My first instinct is to run > with the RF gain more open than that since Olivia communications succeed at > signal levels below the noise floor, but I wanted to do something of a sanity > check amongst other K3 users to see if I'm thinking about this right or not. > > I have benefited greatly by reading this reflector and appreciate everyone's > contributions. > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
