Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-23 Thread James Duffey
Dave - You wrote:

"AFAIK, all the testing is done with a single unit. Does anyone have an 
idea as to what the normal unit-to-unit variation is? Are we talking 
0.1dB, 1dB, 5dB?"

Variations of a few dB from one unit to another of the same radio are typical. 
For the higher performing radios, most operators will not be able to tell the 
difference.

There are exceptions, for a particularly pathological case look at the Third 
Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (dB) for the two K2s that Robert Sherwood 
tested:

< http://www.sherweng.com/table.html > 

For radios based on straight analog to digital converters (ADC), that is those 
that have no traditional mixer/LO/IF front end, such as the Perseus the third 
order dynamic range is not a good figure of merit, as the third order products 
do not manifest themselves until the ADC has essentially saturated. 

Everyone should be happy that other manufacturers are striving for optimum 
receiver performance competitive with Elecraft, whether driven by the K3 or 
not. Competition is healthy for the market place and we all benefit. It is a 
lack of American competition in the 70s and 80s that allowed the Japanese 
imports to get a toehold here. For better and for worse.  - Duffey
--
KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM





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Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-22 Thread Bill W4ZV


Joe Subich, W4TV-4 wrote:
> 
> 
> I don't believe that the K3 is ranked number 1 only based on
> footnotes.  Consider the 100 KHz blocking numbers, the better
> wide spaced dynamic range, much lower MDS (without a preamp),
> or better phase noise performance (vs. the Flex-5000) and the
> K3 is overall a much better, more well balanced performer.
> 

Joe you're mistaken about the ranking methodology.  At the very top of the
page, it states:

*
Receiver Test Data

(Sorted by Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced)
*

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

I agree that other parameters are important, but Rob's ranking is actually
by 2 kHz IMDDR3 *only*.  Hence my quibble with ranking the K3 #1, which is
not true if based on apples-to-apples (500 Hz BW) measurements.

73,  Bill




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Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-22 Thread Dave KQ3T
AFAIK, all the testing is done with a single unit. Does anyone have an 
idea as to what the normal unit-to-unit variation is? Are we talking 
0.1dB, 1dB, 5dB?

73,
Dave KQ3T
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Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-22 Thread Joe Subich, W4TV

Bill,

On 5/22/2010 1:48 PM, Bill W4ZV wrote:

> The only reason the K3 is ranked #1 is that it uses a narrower
> bandwidth (200 Hz) than the other two rigs to achieve the #1
> position.  Rob has this clearly footnoted but it still doesn't
 > seem right to me to list the K3 at the top based on footnotes.

I don't believe that the K3 is ranked number 1 only based on
footnotes.  Consider the 100 KHz blocking numbers, the better
wide spaced dynamic range, much lower MDS (without a preamp),
or better phase noise performance (vs. the Flex-5000) and the
K3 is overall a much better, more well balanced performer.

Some of the measures may not be important to a purely CW operator
in the US but 20KHz DR could certainly be important to a phone
contester and the 100 KHz blocking numbers are probably important
to someone in Europe who must deal with the horrendous broadcast
interference issues on 40 meters.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

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Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-22 Thread Don Wilhelm
While the RadCom reports are trustworthy, I have not seen the complete 
test results nor the procedures documented in a manner similar to the 
ARRL test reports and procedures.  I do see and hear Peter Hart's 
ranking (the K3 is 3rd for 2 kHz IMD at 500 Hz BW), but how does it rank 
for the other parameters - there is more to receiver performance than 
just 2 kHz IMD.  What is most important to Peter Hart may not be most 
important to me - there are trade-offs with any piece of equipment, and 
any chosen parameter may be improved at the expense of other parameters.

73,
Don W3FPR

Bill W4ZV wrote:
> Radcom's tests, under Peter Hart G3SJX, are just as trustworthy as ARRL and
> Sherwood, and in fact have more continuity (in longevity of personnel,
> equipment and procedure) than ARRL and maybe a bit more integrity than
> Sherwood.  I say the latter because Rob has had the K3 listed #1 even though
> both the Flex 5000 and Perseus exceed it at 500 Hz BW.  The only reason the
> K3 is ranked #1 is that it uses a narrower bandwidth (200 Hz) than the other
> two rigs to achieve the #1 position.  Rob has this clearly footnoted but it
> still doesn't seem right to me to list the K3 at the top based on footnotes.  
>
> With equal 500 Hz BWs, the 2 kHz IMD results are:
>
> Perseus - 99 dB
> Flex 5k  - 96 dB
> K3- 95 dB
>
> http://www.sherweng.com/table.html
>
> Someone may forward this to Rob which will be no surprise to him since I've
> told him this directly.  Frankly I doubt many would notice the difference
> between 95, 96, 99 or even 101 (with 200 Hz) so I don't understand why not
> rank rigs at identical bandwidths (500 Hz).
>
> 73,  Bill
>
>
>   
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Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-22 Thread Bill W4ZV


AD4C2009 wrote:
> 
> Is that "Radcom" a trustable source,do they have all the professional
> measurement devices Sherwood labs have? If so,what is the difference in
> figures to make it better than our K3 ?
> 
> 
> "For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"
> 

Radcom's tests, under Peter Hart G3SJX, are just as trustworthy as ARRL and
Sherwood, and in fact have more continuity (in longevity of personnel,
equipment and procedure) than ARRL and maybe a bit more integrity than
Sherwood.  I say the latter because Rob has had the K3 listed #1 even though
both the Flex 5000 and Perseus exceed it at 500 Hz BW.  The only reason the
K3 is ranked #1 is that it uses a narrower bandwidth (200 Hz) than the other
two rigs to achieve the #1 position.  Rob has this clearly footnoted but it
still doesn't seem right to me to list the K3 at the top based on footnotes.  

With equal 500 Hz BWs, the 2 kHz IMD results are:

Perseus - 99 dB
Flex 5k  - 96 dB
K3- 95 dB

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

Someone may forward this to Rob which will be no surprise to him since I've
told him this directly.  Frankly I doubt many would notice the difference
between 95, 96, 99 or even 101 (with 200 Hz) so I don't understand why not
rank rigs at identical bandwidths (500 Hz).

73,  Bill

P.S.  It is not "compulsory" for me to own a K3.  I own a K3 because it
offers me the best performance available at this time for my set of needs. 
(Best performance meaning excellent strong signal handling and true
phase-locked diversity).
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[Elecraft] FT-5000 againts K3 ?

2010-05-22 Thread Hector Padron
Is that "Radcom" a trustable source,do they have all the professional 
measurement devices Sherwood labs have? If so,what is the difference in figures 
to make it better than our K3 ?

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"


  
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