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 to the K3 via after market gagets and use only the K3 because it is a CW dream machine. 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). Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ 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
