Enhancing Radio Contesting for the operator

Transcription

1 Enhancing Radio Contesting for the operator

2 K0MD Home Station Near Rochester, Minnesota, EN 34 ra

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6 Background Comments Thanks to MWA and many members for advice on station planning and implementation Special thanks K4IU, W0GJ, N0IJ for help with contesting Thank you to NC0B, K5SDR, WA0MHJ, W0GJ, N6TV, K9CT and others for discussions on radios, receivers and optimizing contesting performance

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8 When Choosing a Transceiver for your station

9 Goals of Tonight s Presentation Hope to accomplish Outline how you should approach any decision to buy a transceiver Clarify what issues are critical to your station location Compare/Contrast several transceivers Highlight new advances in receiver technology Hope NOT to accomplish Endorse one particular rig or brand Convey that only new transceivers are appropriate Overemphasize the role of the receiver versus other station issues

10 Are we ready yet?

11 Advice true throughout the ages You have to know where you want to go to if you want to get there You cannot work them if you cannot hear them!

12 What are the goals of your station? It is difficult to pick a transceiver without first outlining the goals of your radio station What are your goals? Operate casually and relax? Chase DX primarily? Exclusively contest? Domestic DX Both DX and contest?

13 What are the goals of your station? What kind of station operation do you want for Dxing and Contesting? Single operator radio Two radios or Single Radio 2 VFO operation? So2R contesting? Multi-contesting Multi-Single Multi-2 Multi-Multi What is your desired Power Level QRP, Low, High?

14 How do you figure out what your want your station to do? Think about what you enjoy in the hobby Consider how you can improve your station Set some goals on what you want to achieve over the next 1 and 5 years

15 What do I enjoy in the hobby? Running in DX contests and having stations from multiple continents call me simultaneously Operating Overseas in contests Working DX and raising my Band-Mode- Country totals (DXCC Challenge numbers) Multi-single contesting Team Sport Operating overseas with work assignments

16 What do I dislike in the hobby? Maintenance Computer issues Troubleshooting automation Operating while fatigued or tired Band noise

17 $ Radio&Station&goals:$ 1. To$have$a$station$that$is$competitive$with$SO$contesting$ for$the$dx$contests$(cq$ww$ssb/cw/rtty$ $ARRL$DX$ CW/SSB)$and$secondarily$for$the$US$or$NA$contests$(SS,$ NAQP)$ 2. To$have$a$station$that$lets$me$go$from$308$to$335$ countries$on$the$dxcc$list.$ 3. To$have$a$station$that$is$durable,$does$not$require$ constant$attention$or$maintenance$and$one$that$i$can$ troubleshoot$w/o$climbing.$ 4. To$primarily$be$a$SO$station$but$have$the$capacity$to$do$ SO2R$and$M[2$LP.$

18 2015%Goals%! Amateur%Radio%Goals:%! Station%Improvement%goals% %Antennas%and%Radio%! 1. 1.!To!repair!tower!by!adding!a!K0XG!rotating!tower!system!!Done! 2. To!repair!the!4!SQR!and!install!the!controller!!Tom!Schiller!to!help! 3. To!repair!the!4BA!!Done! 4. To!add!the!K9AY!loop!to!my!arsenal!G!Scott! 5. To!reGconfigure!the!160!meter!vertical!and!move!the!elevate!radials.!!Tom! Schiller! 6. To!get!RTTY!going!on!rigs!at!home!!Done!thanks!to!K4IU!! 7. To!repair!the!top!C49!element,!sort!out!the!SWR!issue!on!the!middle!C49!and! assemble!the!new!c49xr!g!done! 8. To!outline!the!tower!/!antenna!project!in!phases!that!allow!me!to!complete!it! in!chunks!! Middle%tier%goals:% a. Tower!take!down!G!done!!! 9. To!reGdo!the!yagis!on!the!tower!!See!#!6!above! 10. To!raise!the!tower!to!130!ft.!!Permit!approved! 11. To!add!the!JK!30G2!yagi!!buying!a!new!40/30!yagi!from!Tom!Schiller!

19 Advice true throughout the ages You have to know where you want to go to if you want to get there You cannot work them if you cannot hear them!

20 We all share this limitation Atmospheric and human-made band noise

21 To Grok Grok: Verb - To understand profoundly through intuition or empathy (The Free Dictionary) This and any slide with a Flex Radio copyright is courtesy of Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR, CEO Flex Radio, used with permission Copyright 2014 FlexRadio Systems

22 IF YOU DON T GROK NOISE, YOU WON T GROK RADIO. Copyright 2014 FlexRadio Systems

23 What are the priorities to improve one s contest station? Rob Sherwood In order of importance, I put: Antenna and location #1, operators skills #2 and the radio # 3 TS 990-s reflector May 19, 2015

24 NC0B Ault, Colorado Copyright 2014 FlexRadio Systems

25 NC0B Composite Noise vs. Heading by Band 10/20/13 0 NC0B - Ault, CO m Band Noise 15m Band Noise 10m Band Noise Copyright 2014 FlexRadio Systems

26 How do we combat noise or improve reception? Selecting a strong receiver for our station Minimizing intra-station interference and noise Utilizing modern enhancements to improve our reception Running a clean transmitter being a good neighbor

27 How do we combat noise or improve reception? Selecting a strong receiver for our station Minimizing intra-station interference and noise Utilizing modern enhancements to improve our reception

28 What criteria should we use? The ARRL publishes test reports of every new radio Two criteria have historically been used to evaluate receiver performance Sensitivity how weak a signal can the receiver hear? 2-Tone third order Dynamic Range How strong an adjacent signal can the receiver tolerate before performance degrades so that the weakest signal is no longer heard?

29 RM I3 I3 I3 2 Key Measurements Summary khz Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range BG khz Blocking Gain Compression (db) * khz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (db) RM BG khz Blocking Gain Compression (db) khz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (db) khz Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range 40* * khz 3rd-Order Intercept (dbm) Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing, Main Receiver SSB/CW/FSK/PSK sensitivity, 10 db S/N: Noise floor (MDS), 500 Hz bandwidth, 0.5 µv ( MHz), 4 µv ( Hz roofing filter: MHz), 0.2 µv ( MHz), Preamp off Preamp on 1.3 µv ( MHz), 1.3 µv (50 54 MHz) MHz 123 dbm 127 dbm MHz 133 dbm 138 dbm 1.0 MHz 109 dbm 119 dbm 3.5 MHz 129 dbm 139 dbm 14 MHz 128 dbm 138 dbm 50 MHz 127 dbm 140 dbm Noise figure: Not specified. 14 MHz, preamp off/on: 19/9 db. AM sensitivity, 10 db S/N: 0.5 µv ( db (S+N)/N, 1 khz, 30% modulation, MHz), 32 µv ( MHz), 6 khz bandwidth, preamp off/on: 2 µv ( MHz), 1.3 µv ( MHz), 1.0 MHz 27.8 µv 6.5 µv 1.3 µv (50 54 MHz). 3.8 MHz 2.48 µv 0.75 µv 50 MHz 2.72 µv 0.63 µv FM sensitivity, 12 db SINAD: 0.22 µv For 12 db SINAD, 3 khz deviation, (28 30 MHz); 0.22 µv (50 54 MHz). 15 khz bandwidth, preamp off/on: 29 MHz 1.55 µv 0.21 µv 52 MHz 1.00 µv 0.22 µv Spectral display sensitivity: Not specified. With 100 khz display width, preamp off/on: 14 MHz 102 dbm 113 dbm 50 MHz 106 dbm 121 dbm Blocking gain compression dynamic range: Blocking gain compression dynamic range, Not specified. 500 Hz bandwidth, 500 Hz roofing filter: 20 khz offset 5/2 khz offset Preamp off/on Preamp off 3.5 MHz >139/>149 db >139/134 db 14 MHz >138/>148 db >138/133 db 50 MHz >137/141 db >137/132 db Reciprocal mixing dynamic range: Not specified. 14 MHz, 20/5/2 khz offset: 117/101/87 db ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing (500 Hz bandwidth, 500 Hz roofing filter)* Measured Measured Calculated Band/Preamp Spacing Input Level IMD Level IMD DR IP3 3.5 MHz/Off 20 khz 25 dbm 129 dbm 104 db +27 dbm 6 dbm 97 dbm +40 dbm 14 MHz/Off 20 khz 16 dbm 128 dbm 112 db +40 dbm 3 dbm 97 dbm +44 dbm 0 dbm 88 dbm +44 dbm 14 MHz/On 20 khz 25 dbm 138 dbm 113 db +32 dbm 11 dbm 97 dbm +32 dbm Kenwood TS-990 I3 2 I3 TX khz 3rd-Order Intercept (dbm) Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (db) 14 MHz/Off 5 khz 17 dbm 128 dbm 111 db +39 dbm 3 dbm 97 dbm +44 dbm 0 dbm 90 dbm +45 dbm 14 MHz/Off 2 khz 27 dbm 128 dbm 101 db +24 dbm 9 dbm 97 dbm +35 dbm 0 dbm 88 dbm +44 dbm** 50 MHz/Off 20 khz 19 dbm 127 dbm 108 db +35 dbm 9 dbm 97 dbm +35 dbm I9 TX Transmit 9th-Order IMD (db) Second-order intercept point: Not specified. DSP noise reduction: Not specified. Notch filter depth: 70 db (manual), 70 db (auto). Preamp off/on: 14 MHz, +69/+69 dbm; 50 MHz, +57/+57 dbm. Variable, 20 db maximum. Manual notch: >60 db; Auto notch: >60 db, attack time: 164 ms. February 2014 QST

30 Sensitivity Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing, Sub Receiver SSB/CW/FSK/PSK sensitivity, 10 db S/N: Noise floor (MDS), 500 Hz bandwidth, 0.5 µv ( MHz), 4 µv (0.522 default roofing filter: MHz), 0.2 µv ( MHz), Preamp off Preamp on 1.3 µv ( MHz), 1.3 µv (50 54 MHz) MHz 126 dbm 133 dbm MHz 128 dbm 138 dbm 1.0 MHz 109 dbm 118 dbm 3.5 MHz 128 dbm 138 dbm 10.1 MHz 126 dbm 134 dbm 14 MHz 128 dbm 137 dbm 50 MHz 125 dbm 137 dbm Noise figure: Not specified. 14 MHz, preamp off/on: 19/10 db. AM sensitivity, 10 db S/N: 0.5 µv ( db (S+N)/N, 1-kHz, 30% modulation, MHz), 32 µv ( MHz), 5 khz bandwidth, preamp off/on: 2 µv ( MHz), 1.3 µv ( MHz), 1.0 MHz 26.0 µv 8.60 µv 1.3 µv (50 54 MHz). 3.8 MHz 3.59 µv 1.40 µv 50 MHz 4.41 µv 0.91 µv FM sensitivity, 12 db SINAD: 0.22 µv For 12 db SINAD, 3 khz deviation, (28 30 MHz); 0.22 µv (50 54 MHz). 15 khz bandwidth, preamp off/on: 29 MHz 1.11 µv 0.23 µv 52 MHz 1.51 µv 0.29µV Blocking gain compression dynamic range: Blocking gain compression dynamic range, Not specified. 500 Hz bandwidth, default roofing filter: 20 khz offset 5/2 khz offset Preamp off/on Preamp off 3.5 MHz >138/145 db >138/138 db 10.1 MHz 136/135 db 127/124 db 14 MHz >138/143 db >138/130 db 50 MHz 135/130 db 108/98 db Reciprocal mixing dynamic range: Not specified. 14 MHz, 20/5/2 khz offset: 117/105/94 db ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing* (500 Hz bandwidth, default roofing filter ) Measured Measured Calculated Band/Preamp Spacing Input Level IMD Level IMD DR IP MHz/Off 20 khz 24 dbm 126 dbm 102 db +27 dbm 15 dbm 97 dbm +26 dbm 0 dbm 48 dbm +24 dbm [continued from page 55] Dynamic Range ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing* (500 Hz bandwidth, default roofing filter ) Measured Measured Calculated Band/Preamp Spacing Input Level IMD Level IMD DR IP3 14 MHz/Off 20 khz 21 dbm 128 dbm 107 db +33 dbm 11 dbm 97 dbm +32 dbm 0 dbm 58 dbm +29 dbm 14 MHz/On 20 khz 34 dbm 137 dbm 103 db +18 dbm 21 dbm 97 dbm +17 dbm 14 MHz/Off 5 khz 21 dbm 128 dbm 107 db +33 dbm 11 dbm 97 dbm +32 dbm 0 dbm 58 dbm +29 dbm 14 MHz/Off 2 khz 30 dbm 128 dbm 98 db +19 dbm 16 dbm 97 dbm +25 dbm 0 dbm 57 dbm +29 dbm 10.1 MHz/On 20 khz 35 dbm 134 dbm 99 db +15 dbm 23 dbm 97 dbm +14 dbm 10.1 MHz/Off 5 khz 34 dbm 126 dbm 92 db +12 dbm 25 dbm 97 dbm +11 dbm 10.1 MHz/Off 2 khz 37 dbm 126 dbm 87 db +5 dbm 26 dbm 97 dbm +10 dbm February 2014 QST

31 The ARRL Added additional Criteria Sensitivity how weak a signal can the receiver hear? 2-tone third order Dynamic Range How strong an adjacent signal can the receiver tolerate before performance degrades so that the weakest signal is no longer heard? Blocking Gain Compression Dynamic Range Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range

32 Addition of a new Dynamic Range criteria: RMDR Reciprocal mixing dynamic range Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s April 2012 QST

33 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

34 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

35 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

36 1 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

37 2 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

38 3 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

39 4 Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It? You may notice two new color bars in the Key Measurements Summary at the top of this review. These are for reciprocal mixing dynamic range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 khz spacing. We ve reported reciprocal mixing since December 2007, but it s easy to overlook these figures in the table. From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary. We report three dynamic range measurements that determine a transceiver s overall performance. Along with blocking gain compression dynamic range and two tone third order dynamic range, we must consider RMDR while evaluating how well a receiver hears. Which of these measurements is the most important factor in comparing receivers depends a lot on how you plan to use that receiver. For hearing weak signals at or near the receiver s noise floor, receiver noise typically is the limiting factor. For the reception of stronger signals under crowded band conditions, two tone third order DR is the most important number. To assess a receiver s ability to perform well in the presence of a single, strong off-channel signal (common within geographical ham radio clusters or with another ham on the same block), blocking gain compression DR is usually the dominant factor. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals. All LOs generate some noise on each sideband, and some LOs produce more noise than others. This sideband noise mixes with the strong, adjacent off-channel signal, and this generates noise at the output of the mixer. This noise can degrade a receiver s sensitivity and is most notable when a strong signal is just outside the IF passband. RMDR at 2 khz spacing is almost always the worst of the dynamic range measurements at 2 khz spacing that we report in the Product Review data table. We perform the reciprocal mixing test at MHz, using a very low noise Wenzel test oscillator with a measured output of +14 dbm. The test oscillator s sideband noise is considerably below the reciprocal mixing we re measuring. We feed the oscillator s output into a step attenuator, which we adjust until an audio meter on the receiver s output indicates a 3 db increase in background noise. The RMDR is the output level at which we note this 3 db increase.

40 Receiver Parameters 1. Sensitivity how weak a signal can the receiver hear. What is the Noise Floor All receivers are very similar in today s market Atmospheric noise and band noise often make this number meaningless as natural and man-made noises dictate the noise floor.

41 Band and Man-made Noise as a function of frequency Lowest frequency where running pre-amp might enhance signal strength MDS with pre-amp ON Frequency range where attenuation might enhance third order intercept and third order dynamic range (DR) as Noise drives receiver gain and limits dynamic range

42 Receiver Parameters 1. Sensitivity how weak a signal can the receiver hear. What is the Noise Floor 2. Third Order DR (dynamic range) at 2 Khz how do strong signals under crowded band conditions influence the sensitivity? CQ WW, ARRL DX SSB how does a band full of strong signals affect receiver performance. If you are a DX contest competitor or a CW contest competitor, this is the single most important metric.

43 Receiver Parameters 3. Blocking Gain Compression DR (dynamic range) how does a single, strong off channel signal as in a loud neighbor or within a geographic cluster alter performance? Think being a neighbor of K3LR or W3LPL If you live within a metropolitan area with several active ham contesters Hennepin County, Minnesota or San Jose, California

44 Receiver Parameters 3. Blocking Gain Compression DR (dynamic range) how does a single, strong off channel signal as in a loud neighbor or within a geographic cluster alter performance? 4. Reciprocal Mixing DR (dynamic range) how does the receiver s first local oscillator (LO) noise combine with strong, off channel signals just outside the roofing filter pass band to create mixing noise and degrade performance?

45 Receiver Parameters 4. Reciprocal Mixing DR (dynamic range) how does the receiver s first local oscillator (LO) noise combine with strong, off channel signals just outside the roofing filter pass band to create mixing noise and degrade performance? Field Day environment, or ARRL DX or CQ WW SSB Contest lots of spatter Rigs with a noisy first LO Icom 7800, 7700 Most radios are limited by RMDR more than DR-3 If you are a weak signal Dxer, this is very important since you have to hear them to work them

46 Optimizing Reception Synthesizer Phase Noise Evaluate for noise created in your own shack LO noise from your receiver s synthesizer Not an issue on SDR s Transmit Purity from your own station s rigs including how do you impact your neighbor s reception? More later

47 Synthesizer Phase Noise The 7850/7851 series has been developed to address some of the weaknesses of the 7800 series rigs with regard to contesting The LO noise floor has been reduced db Elecraft similarly is now producing the K-3 S, a radio with a very low LO noise floor

48 Sherwood Engineering Reports Updated 5 August 2015 added Yaesu FT-991 & Kenwood TS-570S Device Under Test Added 9/29/14 FlexRadio Systems 6700 Hardware Updated Added 02/23/15 Elecraft K3 (RX Gain Recal) New Synthesizer 12/01/10 Yaesu FTdx- 5000D Noise Floor (dbm) b -141 b1 AGC Thrshld (uv) db b2 1.0 b2 Var 100kHz Blocking (db) A/D Limit bq 0.3 b b s 0.33 b1 Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) b b 147 Spacing khz b b1 Front End Selectivity B Band Pass B Band Pass B Band Pass Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz &2 108 y 20& q p 104 q 2 90 f f 2 Added 2/15/08 Elecraft K b 0.6 b s b B Band Pass pf 96 qf 95 r 2

49 Evaluating Receiver Performance How do modern receivers rank?

50 Receiver Test Data Sorted by Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced - or- ARRL RMDR (Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range) if Phase Noise Limited 1268 South Ogden Street Denver, Colorado USA Phone: FAX: a.m. - 5 p.m. MST Monday - Friday

51 Sherwood Engineering Top Performers Device Under Test Added 9/29/14 FlexRadio Systems 6700 Hardware Updated Added 02/23/15 Elecraft K3 (RX Gain Recal) New Synthesizer Noise Floor (dbm) Updated 5 August 2015 added Yaesu FT-991 & Kenwood TS-570S AGC Thrshld (uv) db b2 1.0 b2 Var 100kHz Blocking (db) A/D Limit bq 0.3 b Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) b b 147 Spacing khz Front End Selectivity B Band Pass B Band Pass Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz &2 108 y 20& q p 104 q 2

52 Sherwood Engineering Reports Updated 5 August 2015 added Yaesu FT-991 & Kenwood TS-570S Device Under Test Added 9/29/14 FlexRadio Systems 6700 Hardware Updated Added 02/23/15 Elecraft K3 (RX Gain Recal) New Synthesizer 12/01/10 Yaesu FTdx- 5000D Noise Floor (dbm) b -141 b1 AGC Thrshld (uv) db b2 1.0 b2 Var 100kHz Blocking (db) A/D Limit bq 0.3 b b s 0.33 b1 Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) b b 147 Spacing khz b b1 Front End Selectivity B Band Pass B Band Pass B Band Pass Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz &2 108 y 20& q p 104 q 2 90 f f 2 Added 2/15/08 Elecraft K b 0.6 b s b B Band Pass pf 96 qf 95 r 2

53 Sherwood Engineering Reports Updated 5 August 2015 added Yaesu FT-991 & Kenwood TS-570S Device Under Test Noise Floor (dbm) AGC Thrshld (uv) db 100kHz Blocking (db) Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) Spacing khz Front End Selectivity Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz Added 9/29/14 FlexRadio Systems 6700 Hardware Updated b2 1.0 b2 Var A/D Limit b B Band Pass &2 108 y 20&2 Added 02/23/15 Elecraft K3 (RX Gain Recal) New Synthesizer bq 0.3 b b B Band Pass q p 104 q 2 Added 4/16/06 Ten-Tec Orion II b 0.65 b b B Band Pass 100 f 95 f i 2

54 Device Under Test Noise Floor (dbm) AGC Thrshld (uv) db 100kHz Blocking (db) Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) Spacing khz Front End Selectivity Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz Added 9/29/14 FlexRadio Systems 6700 Hardware Updated b2 1.0 b2 Var A/D Limit b B Band Pass &2 108 y 20&2 Added 02/23/15 Elecraft K3 (RX Gain Added Recal) 06/02/13 New Synthesizer Kenwood TS-990S on 20 meters 15 & 12 meters RMDR varies by band 17 meters is worst band 30 meters is best bq 0.3 b b b b b B Band Pass A Trk Preselec q p 104 q 2 90 f x 2

55 Added 10/3/04 Device Elecraft K2 Under s/n:3170 Test Added 2/27/04 Added Ten-Tec 9/29/14 Omni FlexRadio VI+ Systems Device 6700 Hardware Under Updated Test Added 02/23/15 Yaesu 901-DM Elecraft K3 Added (RX 8/10/12 Gain Recal) Yaesu FT-950 New Synthesizer Collins R-390A Added 10/3/04 Ten-Tec Icom IC-7800 Corsair Added 12/13/2012 Icom IC-7700 Added 9/3/09 Icom IC g 1.7 b 15 Noise Floor (dbm) AGC Thrshld (uv) db b2 1.0 b2 Var h kHz Blocking (db) A/D Limit Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) b Spacing khz Noise Floor (dbm) AGC Thrshld (uv) db 100kHz Blocking (db) Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise Spacing (dbc/hz) bq b b 1.2 b b1 0.5 b khz N.A b 1.2 b 3 > b b b b b -143b b -141 b b b1 B Band Pass Front End Selectivity B Band Pass B Band Pass Front End Selectivity A+ Trk Presel A Trk C Presel Band Pass Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) 80 f f 2 khz &2 108 y 20&2 Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) C Preselector 80 f B Band 0.20 b Pass 105 q p 104 q b B 80 f f b A Trk Presel khz f f f b B 78 f f b1

56 Noise -125 Floor (dbm) AGC Thrshld (uv) -133 b kHz Blocking db 0.65 b (db) Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) Spacing khz b b 140 s LO Noise AGC 100kHz Floor b Thrshld b Noise Blocking Sensitivity (dbm) (uv) db (db) 5000A Device Added 4/16/06 Under Ten-Tec Spaced Test at Orion 76 db II Updated Added 2/15/08 4/17/06 Device Elecraft Ten-Tec Under Orion Test K3 Added 12/09/14 Added Kenwood 02/26/11 TS-590SG FlexRadio Systems Down Conversion FLEX- Mode to to b b -121to- 0.4 b b1 (uv) Spacing (dbc/hz) khz b b b1 Front End B Band Selectivity Pass B Band Band Pass Pass Front End Selectivity B Band B Bandpass Pass Filter Dynamic Range Dynamic Range Ultimate Wide Narrow 100 khz (db) Spaced 95 f 20 Spaced 95 i khz 2 (db) (db) Dynamic Dynamic 101 pf Filter f Range Range qf 2 Ultimate (db) Wide Spaced (db) khz Narrow Spaced (db) 95 r khz f f 2 Added 06/22/13 06/02/13 Kenwood Ten-Tec Argonaut TS-990S on VI 20 meters 15 Added & 12 11/10/10 meters Ten-Tec RMDR varies Eagleby Added band 17 8/20/09 meters FlexRadio is worst Systems band 30 FLEX- meters is 3000 best band b 0.75 b b b b b b b 0.13 b s b B Band Pass B Band A Pass Trk Preselec B Band Pass 95 f f 2 92 f f 2 90 f x 2 90 f 90 f f 2

57 Comparing two top end rigs of Device Under Test Added 06/02/13 Kenwood TS-990S on 20 meters 15 & 12 meters 350-XL RMDR Kenwood varies by band TS- 830/YK88 17 meters is worst Added band 30 4/23/07 meters Ten-Tec is best Omni bandvii Added 10/3/04 Icom IC-7800 Added similar design and appearance Updated 9 December 2014 with Kenwood TS-590SG Noise Floor (dbm) b AGC Thrshld (uv) db 100kHz Blocking (db) b Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise (dbc/hz) b Spacing khz b 0.2 b b -139 b b 3 > b b b b1 Front End Selectivity A Pass Trk Preselec C Preselector B 0.5 Octave A Trk Presel Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz 90 f x 2 85 f f f f 2

58 The Icom Line-Up WRTC Winning rigs one does not need 350-XL Pass Kenwood C TS /YK88 Updated 9 December 2014 with Kenwood Preselector 85 f TS-590SG Device Added 4/23/07 Under Ten-Tec Test Omni VII Added 10/3/04 Icom IC-7800 Added 12/13/ /3/04 Elecraft Icom IC-7700 K2 s/n:3170 Added Added 9/3/09 2/27/04 Icom IC-7600 Ten-Tec Omni VI+ a radio at the top of the list to win -130 Noise Floor (dbm) -140 b b -139 b1 AGC 100kHz Thrshld Blocking 0.2 db (uv) b (db) b 3 > b1 Sensitivity (uv) b b g 1.7 b h 0.20 LO Noise (dbc/hz) b Spacing khz b b1 B 0.5 Octave Front End Selectivity A Trk Presel A Trk Presel B Band Pass Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) f b 2.35 b b B 78 f f b b b1 B Band Pass khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) 100 f khz 100 f f 2 80 f f 2 Device Under Test Noise Floor (dbm) AGC Thrshld (uv) db 100kHz Blocking (db) Sensitivity (uv) LO Noise Spacing (dbc/hz) khz Front End Selectivity Filter Ultimate (db) Dynamic Range Wide Spaced (db) khz Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced (db) khz

59 What is an acceptable standard for DR-3? SSB Receiver DR-3 at 20 Khz is likely the key metric 85 db is the minimum that Rob Sherwood recommends CW Receiver DR-3 at 2 Khz is critical with at least db being the minimum for contest grade receivers

60 Evaluation of Competition Grade Receivers Sensitivity how weak a signal can the receiver hear? Dynamic Range How strong an adjacent signal can the receiver tolerate before performance degrades so that the weakest signal is no longer heard? Noise management Audio output can I listen to the rig for extended periods of time w/o fatiguing? Audio output must be clean NR must enhance my listening The AGC must not trip over quick pulse noise Rob Sherwood, CTU 2014 Dayton

61 Evaluation of Competition Grade Rigs One additional criteria Sensitivity how weak a signal can the receiver hear? Dynamic Range How strong an adjacent signal can the receiver tolerate before performance degrades so that the weakest signal is no longer heard? Audio output can I listen to the rig for extended periods of time w/o fatiguing? Audio output must be clean NR must enhance my listening The AGC must not trip over quick pulse noise Transmitter Purity is my rig clean or polluting? Rob Sherwood, CTU 2014 Dayton

62 Transmitter Purity TS 990s Response (db) f c fc-4 fc-2 fc+2 fc+4 Frequency in khz QS1402-ProdRev05 February 2014 QST

63 Multi-Two or Multi-Multi station Transmit noise from adjacent radios or others on the band! The 100 to 3 Khz noise figures published in QST must be considered when you are planning a station with > 2 radios the inter-mod from either radio may make it impossible to hear weak signals on the nontransmitting rig

64 Transmitter Purity Kenwood TS-990 Yaesu FT DX QS1402-ProdRev05 QS1012-Prodrev Response (db) Reponse, db Ken fc-4 fc-2 f c fc+2 fc+4 Frequency in khz fc-4 fc-2 f c fc+2 fc+4 Frequency in khz February 2014 QST December 2010 QST

65 Bm 128 dbm 98 db +19 dbm Bm 97 dbm +25 dbm Bm 57 dbm +29 dbm Transmitter Purity ed. Preamp off/on, 14 MHz, +73/+73 dbm; 50 MHz, +65/+27 dbm. ified. Preamp on: 29 MHz, 85 db; 52 MHz, 83 db. nge: 20 khz offset, preamp on: 29 MHz, 85 db ; 52 MHz, 83 db ; 10 MHz offset: 29 MHz, 106 db; 52 MHz, 106 db. S-9 signal, preamp off/on: 14.2 MHz, 86.0/20.9 µv; 50 MHz, 107.0/10.7 µv. At threshold, preamp on: FM, 0.1 µv (29 MHz), SSB, 0.7 µv (14.2 MHz). 2.8 W at 10% THD into 8 W. THD at 1 V RMS: 0.3%. Range at 6 db points, (bandwidth): CW (500 Hz): Hz (490 Hz); Equivalent rectangular BW: 476 Hz; USB: (2.6 khz): Hz (2255 Hz); LSB: (2.6 khz): Hz (2310 Hz); AM: (4.9 khz): Hz (5324 Hz). fied. First IF, 10 MHz, 107 db; 14 MHz, 99 db; 50 MHz, 117 db; image, 10 MHz, 100 db; 14 MHz, 88 db; 50 MHz, 92 db. break-in (QSK) mode using external keying. Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM. The upper trace is the actual key closure; the lower trace is the RF envelope. (Note that the first key closure starts at the left edge of the figure.) Horizontal divisions are 10 ms. The transceiver was being operated at 200 W output on the 14 MHz band. Response (db) QS1402-ProdRev05 fc-4 fc-2 f c fc+2 fc+4 Frequency in khz ion: rs), Transmitter Dynamic Testing HF: typically W ( W AM); 50 MHz, W ( W AM). HF, 69 db (worst case, 10 meters), typically > 70 db; 50 MHz, 68 db. Figure 3 Spectral display of the TS-990S transmitter during keying sideband testing. Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM using external keying. Spectrum analyzer resolution bandwidth is 10 Hz, and the sweep time is 30 seconds. The transmitter was being operated Icom 7800 Kenwood TS 990

66 Transmitter Purity 0 QS0901-prodrev02 QS0911-Prodrev f c-4 f c-2 f c khz f c+2 f c f c Elecraft K-3 Icom 7600

67 Transmitter Purity The Top 2 0 QS0901-prodrev QS1504-ProdRev f c-4 f c-2 f c khz f c+2 f c+4 Response (db) fc-4 fc-2 f c fc+2 fc+4 Frequency in khz Elecraft K-3 Flex 6700

68 Figure 4 Horizontal Spectral display theare 14 MHz, 88 db; 50of MHz, 92 db. Frequency in khz Figure waveform for the of the figure.) divisions 1 CW keying Image rejection: >80 db. 99 db. 10solid-state ms. The transceiver was being AM: Hz (2777 Hz). IC-7600 transmitter during keying side250 V ac divisions at 0.2 Aare with switching sides of my run frequency. FTDX 5000D showing the first two dits in full 10 ms. The transceiver was being operated operated at 94 W output on the 14 MHz band. band testing. Equivalent keyingtesting speed is Transmitter Transmitter Dynamic break-in (QSK) mode using external keying. (a menu selection). Figure 3 Spectral display of the TS-990S First IF rejection, 14 MHz, 105 db; at 100 output on the 14 MHz band. Transmitter Transmitter Dynamic Testing 60 W WPM using external keying. Spectrum Equivalent keying speed is 60rejection, WPM. The transmitter keying sideband testing. &IGURE MHz, 7ORST CASE SPECTRAL DISPLAY Jots and Tittles 50trace 111 db; image ICOM s CATduring command set for the Power output: 200 W (50 W AM). HF: typicallybandwidth Wis( W AM); analyzer resolution 10 Hz, upper is the actual key closure; the keying speed is 60 WPM using OF THE )#/)#88 TRANSMITTER DURING Power output: CW/SSB/FSK/FM, 100aW; and the sweep CW/SSB/FSK: HF, 1 W( minimum, 84 IC-7600 Equivalent 14 MHz, db; 50 MHz, 72 db. 50 MHz, W W AM). still does not include any means Unlike the IC-7700, the 7600 has time is 30 seconds. The lower trace is the TESTING RF envelope. (Note that external keying. Spectrum analyzer resolution KEYING SIDEBAND %QUIVALENT AM, WdB maximum depending Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: HF,was (worst case, 10 transmitter being operated at meters), 100on Wband. to control, the firstspeed key closure starts at theexternal left edge clear oris even value time of is 30 main and aw.sub-receiver. The radio s bandwidth 10 Hz,read and the sweep KEYING ISreceiver Dynamic 70USING 50 MHz, 1 86 W. AM: HF typically Transmitter Testing HF: 60 db (harmonics), 50 db (others), typically > 70 db; 50 MHz, 68 db. on the 14 MHz band, and this of the figure.) divisions are seconds. was being operated the RIT/XIT. TheseThe aretransmitter features some ICOM DualHorizontal Watch function letsdb. you listen to two PEP outputmeets KEYING 3PECTRUM ANALYZER RESOLUTION W; 50 MHz, W. 50 MHz, 66 FCC requirements. plot shows the transmitter QS0901-prodrev02 output ±5 khz at 200 W PEP output on the 14QS1504-ProdRev02 MHz band, and 10HF: ms. CW, The transceiver was operated SSB, FM, adjustable, 0TIME to BANDWIDTH IS (Z AND THEbeing SWEEP hadplot appear output in the±5 khz signals inwthe same band at same time [but from 0hoped Power output typically 5 W watchersthis SSB carrier suppression: HFFM: andn/a.* 50 MHz, >70 db. showswould the transmitter at 200 W output on the 14 band. the carrier. The reference level is typically 116 AM, 0MHz to 51 W.the 0 IS SECONDS 4HE TRANSMITTER WAS BEING 60 db. lower at minimum command set.the The command combined in a OUTPUT singlesideband audio channel, unlike>55 a db. the carrier. reference levelset is 0 dbc, 10 Undesired suppression: and 50 MHz, >70operating 0 dbc, andhf the vertical scale isdb. in db. voltage. IC-7600 sfrom OPERATED AT %0 AT -(Z -10 MF, 48 full db; HF, db; 50 MHz, 66 Ed.] db. distortion and 20 the vertical scale is in the db. RIT/XIT Third-order intermodulation HF, 200 W PEP, 3rd/5th/7th/9th order: does include instructions to turn sub-receiver function the DX (IMD) Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: HF, 60 db worst case (1.8 MHz); 65 db. -20 Meets FCC requirements. products: Not specified. 31/ 46/ 52/ 57 dbdb. (worst case, 10 QS1012-Prodrev02 HF, 50 db; 50 MHz, 70 frequencies, db. typical. 50 MHz, 66 Complies withm), quick clear 30feature on or off and read its station s transmit and listening typically 39/ 46/ 54/ 56; FCC emission standards. >70 db.for example. Some prospective 7700 buyers status, however. 50 MHz, 36/ 47/> 60/ 58 db. -40 of a sub-receiver 80 db. SSB suppression: >70 db. 50 The RIT/XIT tuning rate is way QS1402-Prodrev06 too leiconsidered thecarrier unit sspeed lack as >70 db. QS0911-Prodrev05 0 CW keyer range: Not specified. 4 to 60 WPM surely for my taste about 0.1 khz per turn a deal breaker. Undesired sideband suppression: 80 db. >70 db. CW keying characteristics: Not specified. See Figures 2 and rd/5th/7th/9th order (worst case band): to the PROIII s. I d prefer it on CW, identical TheThird-order IC-7600 boots up Not nearly instantly(imd): Iambic keyer mode: specified. Mode BPEP, 3rd/5th/7th/9th order: intermodulation distortion 100 W HF, 29/ 43/ 46/ 51 db PEP; -40 Transmit-receive time (PTT-70release S9 32/ 51/ 52/ 52 signal, 35 ms. dbc (worst case, 160tom); be coarser 80 to minimize twisting. no 25/ 41/ 51/ 51 waiting! Not specified.db turn-around 50 MHz, PEP to 50% audio output): Not specified. 41/ 42/ 48/ 54 dbc (HF, typical); 90 While in CW mode, a readout under the It s possible to update the radio s eamp 2 on) pecified. 8 to 46 WPM. Receive-transmit turn-around time (tx delay): -80 SSB, 18 ms; FM, 8 ms. 50/ 38/ 51/< 60 dbc (50 MHz). T PANEL CONTROLS 100 eamp 2 on) FILTER sub-menu displays the precise CW fc+4 firmware vianot thespecified. Internet. The procedure for -90 fc-4 fc-2 fc+2 fc See Figures 1 and 2. speed CW keyer range: to Notthe specified. 4.9f to 104 WPM, iambic 2t specified. on: any guesswork. doing so iscomposite essentially identical one we fc-4 f4. fc+2 mode fc+4a and B.pitch frequency, eliminating Frequency in khz transmitted noise: Not specified. See 2 c-figure c -120 CW keying characteristics: Not 2. me (PTT release S9 signal, 25 ms. khz1 and weight, described in our IC-7700 review. Size (height, width, depth): 7.2specified inchessee (inclfigures protrusions); 54 lbs My Take ecified. Price: $7999 YouTransmit-receive must fashion turn-around your own external time (PTT release S-9 signal, AGC fast, 184 ms. Figure 2 Spectral display of the FLEX-6300 bandwidth, -160 Figure 2 Spectral display of the K3/100 transmitter keyingbe sideband TH THE ON to 50% audio output): Not specified. While the jury during still may out as testing. to f -4 f -2 f +2 f +4 keypad for direct (ie, non-menu) access to the f c ms; FM, c c is c testing includes Two-Tone IMD results at several signal levels. me (tx delay): SSB, 12 9 ms. Unit *ARRL Review c Product Equivalent keying speed is 60 WPM using -180 transmitter during keying sideband testing. CW AMTOR. Frequency in khz Two-Tone, Third-Order Dynamic Range figures comparable to previous reviews are shown on the first line NSCEIVER YEAH whether the IC-7600 qualifies as a top-tier suitable for use voice, oron memories. Alternatively, Receive-transmit time (tx delay): SSB, 138 ms. 5/2 khz offset turn-around digital external keying. Spectrum analyzer resolution 1x10 1x10 1x10 1x10 1x10 6 keying Intercept speed is 60 Second-order WPM usingintercept in each The IP3 column is theequivalent calculated Third-Order Point. Not specified. transceiver, its frills, feature setthe andsweep APreamp JOY IT ISoff TO USE you can thegroup. voice and CW memories bandwidth is 10 Hz,Frequency and Not specified. See 2Figure 3. access inperforhz time is 30 points were determined using 97 dbm reference.keying. Spectrum analyzer external Figure Spectral display of the 126/105 db CASE SPECTRAL DISPLAY OF seconds. operated at mance alone makethe it atransmitter must-seewas for being serious via7orst the USB keyboard using thenoise: F1-F4 keys. MIT AND RECEIVE &IGURE Composite transmitted Not specified. See Figureisdisplay 3.10 Hz,of **This measurement was made with theresolution 270 Figure Hz roofing filter. and FTDX 5000D transmitter during keying 5bandwidth Spectral thethe IC / db 11.8 inches; weight pounds. W PEP output on the 14 MHz band, and this )#/)#9.4 TRANSMITTER OUTPUT DURING Measurement was noise limited at12.8 thesweep value indicated. contesters94 and DXers, if not for discerning TheEquivalent radio s AUTO TUNE feature for CW S 122/103 BORROW AdB53" THE sideband testing. keying speed Size (height, width, depth): inches including protrusions; weight, 10 lb. transmitter output during composite-noise time is 30 seconds. The transmitter plot shows transmitter output ±5TS-990S khz from Default0OWER COMPOSITE NOISE TESTING OUTPUT IS and cutoff frequencies are adjustable via DSP. For SSB, DSP was set to Figure 4 the Spectral display of the values;and bandwidth ere determined using S5 reference. is 60 WPM using external keying. Spectrum testing. Power output is$ W on the casual operators. and AM is4he convenient useful, especially was atam, 100 W PEP THE BACK the carrier. The reference level is 0 dbc, and the 7 AT -(Z Price: SHORT BLUE TRACE transmitter output during composite-noise test1/ 94 dbc.of THE FLEX-6300, $2499; autotuner, 2800 Hz for high and ATU Hz for low for abeing width $299; ofoperated 2600FlexControl, Hz. For it was set tooutput 100 Hz/3000 Hz analyzer resolution bandwidth is 10 Hz, MHz band. The carrier, off the left edge vertical scale is in is db. the 14Hz/5000 MHz band, and Manufacturer: ICOM America, thetime pitch-challenged. Sometimes it wasonand ing. Power output 200 W on the MHz band. SHOWS THEfor COMPOSITE NOISE TEST RESULTS OWNER S MANUAL ; KAT3 internal tuner, $329.95; KRX3 and 0seconds. Hz/5000 Hz for the main receiver Hz for the subthis RX. plot shows and antenna the sweep is 30 The ofconfiguration plot, isoutput not This plot shows TheNE, carrier, off the left edge of the plot, the transmitter ±5 receiver khz from the THE ORIGINAL )# WITH CORRECTION *FM operation not available in the but is shown. scheduled for SmartSDR Version 1.4. The TS-990S subreceiver operates astested either athe double downconversion (RX1) or triple upcon116th Ave Bellevue, WA 98004; tel is not 3GET coveragefrom RX band-pass filter, $129.95; KXV3 unable to lock on theawas signal beedgeneral TOCalculated THE 2449 transmitter was being operated at 200 W perhaps composite transmitted noise 100 Hz to shown. This plot shows composite transmitted **Although the specifications indicate two levels of preamplification (10 db or 20 db) the review FACTOR APPLIED 3EE -AY 134 P version receiver (RX2) depending on the band operation and filter bandwidth selected. To give an carrier. The reference level is 0 dbc, and rter interface, $99.95; KTCXO3-1 high stability oscillator, R IP , fax PEP output on the 14 MHz and this cause of fading band, and would return to where HOW TO PROGRAM FOR 1 MHz the500 The reference level noise 100 Hz , to 1 MHz from thewww. carrier. The transceiver just offered Preamp Off orconfiguration, Preamp On.from The preamp is not available for 3.5 MHz example of the performance of each RX1 with HzdB. roofing filter wasthe used for receiver ON THE DIFFERENCES the vertical scale iscarrier. in +23 dbm each; 00 Hz), $99.95 poleinformation (250, 400 Hz; 1,frequencies 1.8, 2.1, plot8more shows the transmitter output ±5 khz is and 0 dbc, andam the scale is testing in db.on 10.1 MHz. itfilters started (itband only tries for two If you icomamerica.com. reference level is 0 dbc, and the vertical scale orat lower interference from Broadcast tests 14 MHz; RX2seconds). with to 15avoid khz 1st IF filter 2.7 the khz 2nd IFvertical filter wasband. used for MORIES BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW TEST PROCEDURES +23 dbm from the carrier. The reference is h. is in db. Productlevel Review 4HE CARRIER OFF vertical THE ARRL LEFT EDGE THE PLOTtesting includes Two-Tone IMD results at several signal levels. TUNING 0 optional dbc, andkbpf3 the scale OF is in db. ee MHzBUT IF. TheIS band-pass filter is Two-Tone, Third-Order Dynamic Range figures comparable to previous reviews are shown From November 2009 QST ARRL NOT SHOWN 4HIS PLOT SHOWS COMPOSITE +25 dbm ABLE RATE ARRL, thecolumn national association for Amateur Radio on the first in 2014 each The IP3 is the calculated Third-Order Intercept Point. QS1504-ProdRev03 age TUNING receive performance. TRANSMITTED NOISE 56 (ZFebruary TO line -(Z FROMgroup dbm Second-order points were determined using 97 dbm reference. ed with optionalthe 400 Hz, 8-pole roofing filter forintercept optimum NE UP THEthe 2449 CARRIER Default values; +27 dbm bandwidth is adjustable via DSP. 20 QS0901-prodrev03 e specified. Two-Tone, 3rd-Order IMD DynamicQS1012-Prodrev03 Range 2628 (2360 Hz) 2622 (2354 Hz) 10 (6546 >70 db Hz). MHz, >111** db; 0 MHz, 73 db. bandwidth, -4/2 2 SB, CW, FM, (dbm) M. suppression: MHz. 137 db on: Not specified. /15/11 db stortion (IMD) modulation, g filter: Response in db Reponse, db Response (db) Transmi;er Purity Don t overlook it! IC dbm software, and +28 dbm Web+26 site, can dbm inuous stream+20 dbm rnal decoder +19 dbm if 7/+31 dbm. rge number of :ed >70 in db. the down- Response in db +25 dbm +28 dbm +26 dbm Figure 3 Spectral display of the FLEX-6300 transmitter output during -140 phase noise testing. Power output is 94 W on the 14 MHz band (blue -160 trace), and 86 W on the 50 MHz band (red trace). The -180 Features2 for Everyone carrier, off the left edge of the plot, is not shown. This plot shows 1x10 1x10 3 1x10 4 1x10 5 1x transmitted noise 100 Hz to 1 MHz from the carrier. The Some featuresfrequency are there for all modes. Thecomposite in Hz reference level is 0 dbc, and the vertical scale is in db. combination of roofing filters (2.7 khz stan-160 Figure Spectral display theeach receiver) dard, 3room for four moreofin FTDX5000D transmitter output during and DSP bandwidth filters are seamlessly composite-noise testing. Power output is adjustable Justcarrier, turn the 200 W on thein14each MHzmode. band. The offwidth the left edge thethe plot,shift is not shown. control andofset where This you want FT DX 5000 TS- 990s Phase Noise (dbc/hz) 0 &ROM -ARCH 134 Ú!22, us reviews are shown on the first line in each group. +15 dbm -20 lated +14 Third-Order Intercept Point. Second-order intercept dbm g a 97 dbm reference. -40 ed at the value dbm indicated. d cutoff+5 frequencies are-80 adjustable via DSP. dbm trol settings. IC MHz 100 Hz Figure 3 Spectral display of the K3/100 QST Devoted entirely to Amateur Radio transmitter output during composite-noise testing. Power output is 100 W on the 14 MHz band. The carrier, off the left edge K MHz khz 10 khz 100 khz 1 MHz Frequency Offset April 2015 Flex

69 Using Receiver Enhancements to Grok Noise and Interference Attenuation, RF and AF controls AGC settings IF Filtering Noise Reduction APF Audio Peak Filtering

70 Another tool for weak signal CW What do you do in weak signal or variable strength signal Contesting CW contesting when you are constantly having Side Tone to Level adjust the AF gain but the level 50% you need to Sets set the sidetone it at output hurts level from your 0% to ears 100% in when you are 1% steps. (default: 50%) transmitting? Icom has a feature that allows you to set the sidetone level such that it is fixed when you transmit Side Tone Level Limit ON and is independent of the AF gain setting Turns the sidetone output level limiting capability ON and OFF. (default: ON) When this item is set to ON, the CW sidetone is linked to the [AF] control until rotation of the [AF] control reaches to the specified level further rotation will not increase the volume of the CW sidetones. OFF : CW sidetone level is linked to the [AF] control. ON : CW sidetone level is limited with the [AF] control. Hearing protection mode or mechanism Allows you to not have to crank the AF gain between sending

71 Weak CW signal enhancements Add Attenuation until the band noise is not driving the S-meter Leave the pre-amp off until you are above 14 Mhz. Band Noise on 14 Mhz and frequently 21 Mhz is louder than the receiver floor noise negating any benefit of pre-amp use

72 Weak CW signal enhancements There are several other tricks in CW contesting that enhance clarity, DR-3 and BDR Turn the RF gain down or counterclockwise to reduce the amplification of all received signals. Enhances dynamic range and DR-3 Allows use of the full 40 db of IP-3 the transceiver can do Use the 3 Khz roofing filter to knock out signals down the band which create distortion products and intermodulation interference.

73 Noise Reduction Modern IF DSP offers several features that contesters and Dxers value: Noise reduction (NR) reduces the white nose, QRN and other non-signal noise IF filtering adjustable IF filtering from 1 khz down to 50 hz Some radios offer concentric parallel passbands the upper and lower passbands around center frequency are altered equally Icom offers selectable, build your own passband can adjust either side as you desire

74 Noise Reduction

75 NR on the K-3 Favors SSB > CW Bob DePierre, K8KI QST February 2015

76 NR on the Yaesu FT DX 5000 most effective tested and really enhances SSB db Improvement QS1502-DePierre03 Setting = 1 Setting = 5 Setting = 10 Setting = Bandwidth, Hz Figure 3 SNR improvement versus filter bandwidth for this receiver favors SSB bandwidths. Bob DePierre, K8KI QST February 2015

77 Take Home Points from Bob s article:

78 How do I use NR? I use it to take the edge off the band noise I crank it to about 10 or 11 o clock on my Icom radios it reduces the background noise by 10dB or so which makes listening for hours much better. The IF-DSP and APF enhance the signal to noise ratio better so I can hear the signal once the NR is optimized.

79 What about IF Bandpass Why is an adjustable bandpass ideal? You can tailor or eliminate one-half of the passband where the QRM or intermodulation noise may be strongest or most offensive. You can tailor the audio for what you like to hear You can selectively move through a pile-up

80 What about IF Bandpass What are the advantages of symmetrically reducing bandpass filters? You can most quickly narrow the passband w/o displacing the signal.

81 What new features might enhance conteslng? Superb Noise ReducLon and High fidelity audio help me Tight filtering makes running easier K- 3 effect Flex Lghtest filters on the market CW Dxing and conteslng a good APF helps pull the weak ones out of the noise RejecLng adjacent sideband spla;er would be an amazing feature Easier BIC?

82 Noise ReducLon and APF Enhancing Bob Lee FT DX 5000 Receiving NR turned on, then dialed 1 to 10 No NR, then NR set at stage 1 and finally the APF engaged with the NR at Step 1

83 IF DSP Filtering no ringing down to Hz FT DX to 50 Hz IF DSP N8ER calling CQ

84 Flex Hz CW Filtering

85 Audio Peak Filtering Yaesu FT DX 5000 has perhaps the industry s leading APF File from W0GXA (Bob Lee) S 1 signal 500 Hz filter APF engaged at 6 seconds

86 Audio Peak + Tighter IF filtering Bob Lee FT DX Cqing from I1MMR IF DSP filter reduced to 300 Hz at 6 seconds, then a few seconds later the APF is engaged

87 APF Contesting vs Dxing APF Type SOFT Select audio filter shape for APF from SOFT and SHARP. (default: SOFT) SHARP : Sharp filter shape rejects interfering signals more aggressively. SOFT : Soft filter shape makes distinguishing noise and signals easier. The audio filter width is related to the CW pitch setting. Sharp rejects interfering signals use in crowded contesting conditions Soft enhances signal to noise ratio use in weak signal Dxing conditions

88 Weak CW signal enhancements Use only the necessary IF filter bandwith to knock out adjacent signals that are de-grading reception Quiet neighborhood use Hz Crowded contest conditions Hz Tailor the audio peaking filter APF for the conditions you are working in

89 Weak CW signal enhancements Tailor the audio peaking filter APF for the conditions you are working in Contest conditions with lots of adjacent signals use the sharp filters to attenuate adjacent signals DX conditions with weak CW signals, use the soft APF options to enhance the signal to noise (S/N) ratios.

90 Weak CW signal enhancements Use the manual notch filter as a second APF to peak or optimize the Signal to noise ratio once all other controls are set With DX conditions with weak CW signals, use the soft APF options to enhance the signal to noise (S/N) ratio. Use the IF Digital filter bandwidth to tune for maximum clarity Hz Turn on the Manual Notch and adjust it as a second APF to alter the S/N ratio to help the CW signal Pop Out of the noise

91 What about SSB? Adjacent spla;er and band noise are major issues with high rate SSB conteslng What if I told you that one radio could notch out adjacent spla;er and nearly remove all background band noise?

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94 What would make me operate for longer periods of Lme? BIC = score potenlal If you cannot conlnue operalng, you will not score points What if we could operate while walking around, or signg on the couch? FLEX new user interfaces including the ipad

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97 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS Visual Display Radio Controls controls Connectivity Size and Weight (17.12cm H x 35.56cm W x 4.45cm D w/o feet) Input/Output Power Mounting Options

98 Factors to consider when buying a new Transceiver or several How well does it receive? Can I use it with the other rigs in the shack? Is the rejeclon of other signals strong? Is it a good neighbor is the transmi;er clean? How does it handle ergonomically? Does it suit my style of rig- operator interfact? Every radio interacts with a ham like sojware does with it s GUI graphical user interface

99 Factors to consider when buying a new Transceiver or several How well does it receive? Can I use it with the other rigs in the shack? Is the rejeclon of other signals strong? Is it a good neighbor is the transmi;er clean? How does it handle ergonomically? Does it suit my style of rig- operator interfact? Every radio interacts with a ham like sojware does with it GUI graphical user interface Can I scale my radio purchases Does it make sense to consider purchasing something today that will compliment or enhance a future purchase?

100 Other Criteria to consider How well does the radio perform in other modes or situations? RTTY VHF Dxing What intangibles do I prefer? Knobs plastic vs heavy VFO Audio quality Acoustic pleasure Noise Reduction or APF enhancements Ease of working split Ease of interfacing with computers and other station peripherals Layout of controls/interfaces - ergonomics

101 Other Criteria to consider Is there a Show Appeal that I find attractive? Scope or Panadapter is critical Multiple LCD displays versus 1 or none? Are there other features I want? Logging Rotator interface Using an iambic key to send RTTY or CW CW decoding RTTY Decoding on screen

102 MulL- Two or MulL- MulL stalon Transmit noise from adjacent radios impacts the weak signals one can receive Major issue for planning a DxpediLon intra stalon interference is a crilcal issue to milgate For anyone wanlng to do a mull- one, mull- 2 or mull- mull set up (home, mobile conteslng, field day), this issue must be though through. The 100 to 3 Khz noise figures published in QST must be considered when you are planning a stacon with > 2 radios the inter- mod from either radio may make it impossible or challenging to hear weak or somelmes good signals on the non- transmigng rig This type of interference is enhanced when one runs an amplifier RARC Field Day experienced de- sensing with a K- 3 in this environment Icom 756 Pro with amp, K- 3 with amp, Icom 7000 with amp, and two other rigs

103 Pugng all of this into a decision How can you integrate all of these data points into a purchase decision? Go to a local dealer and test drive all of the models like buying a car This approach emphasizes inilal impression, inilal use, emolon and curb appeal from the OEM and dealer Compare one rig against the rest, doing an A vs B comparison, picking the best featured rig and ullmately picking based upon the comparisons Create a contest plan like a business plan with current and future goals, and plan your purchases around the needs of today and the future

104 Pugng all of this into a decision Create a contest plan like a business plan with current and future goals, and plan your purchases around the needs of today and the future What are the purposes of the rig? Work DX and listen? Contest soab, so2r, m- 1, m- 2, m- m? Scalability IF ouput for a panadapter, for SDR hook up, for networking with other rigs in the shack Size and placement Upgradable with firmware or a use and replace type? Transmi;er purity and Blocking DR for close in work How ojen does the OEM improve it and make those available to the end user?

105 Pugng all of this into a decision Work with biology don t fight it Try to use a radio plaoorm that you are familiar with Dxing and ContesLng can be falguing Much of our operalon is when we are Lred or sleep deprived Know where the knobs are when you are Lred or can find them with your eyes closed xxxxx

106 How does one choose by the numbers? When would one prefer really large DR3 numbers? In a CW DX pile- up or CW contest. For Field Day - having really good phase noise (RMDR) is important Team Hennepin may feel that every contest is like a Field Day environment with so many stalons so close by.

107 What data should I look at carefully? Receiver SelecLvity DR- 3 > 80 db for CW conteslng, ideally > 90 db DR- 3 > 75 db for SSB conteslng NPR db RMDR > 90 db Receiver Noise handling Excellent Noise ReducLon Clean audio out

108 Final thoughts The radio does not make the contester, the contester makes the radio! Spending 5-15 K to upgrade your rig will not improve your contest score more than 10% unless you address fundamental issues that impact your conteslng Noise or listening falgue Be;er seleclvity Be;er ergonomics Cleaner mull- mull environment

109 Final Thoughts Ham Radio is a hobby Have fun with your radio Rob Sherwood, Dayton 2015 Is 3dB worth a divorce? No, it is not. Glenn Johnson, MWA 2014 Invest in antennas, stalon localon, be;er environment for operalng ahead of a new rig! John Baumgarten, N0IJ, Dayton 2007 It is all about operalng Lme and focus Rich Westerberg, every year on the MWA reflector

110 Rob Sherwood s Final Thoughts If you got a good deal on a radio and it is performing well for whatever your operalng habits are, then just enjoy the radio. My two main radios are an old IC- 781 with a DR3 of about 75 and a TS- 990S which has an RMDR of 87 to 98. I enjoy both radios and they perform fine in the CW and SSB contests I operate. A K3S might be be;er, certainly on Field Day, but I prefer large radios with really good receive audio. They suit my needs which is all that mahers.

111 When it comes to purchasing a new transceiver for conteslng Decide what you want to do and find a radio at the price point that maximizes your fun Select features that play to your strengths and minimize weaknesses Remember transmi;er purity along with receiver performance Bigger is not always Be;er -

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