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Sherwood Engineering HF Test Results: Model Elecraft K3

This document summarizes test results for an Elecraft K3 transceiver. Key findings include: - The receiver has excellent filtering, sensitivity, dynamic range, and phase noise. - The transmitter meets most specifications for a 13.8V class B rig but could improve IMD performance. - While the receiver audio quality has improved, an external amplifier is recommended for better audio. - Accessories have enhanced functionality but a larger integrated radio is desired by some users.

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72 views

Sherwood Engineering HF Test Results: Model Elecraft K3

This document summarizes test results for an Elecraft K3 transceiver. Key findings include: - The receiver has excellent filtering, sensitivity, dynamic range, and phase noise. - The transmitter meets most specifications for a 13.8V class B rig but could improve IMD performance. - While the receiver audio quality has improved, an external amplifier is recommended for better audio. - Accessories have enhanced functionality but a larger integrated radio is desired by some users.

Uploaded by

Andriy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sherwood Engineering HF Test Results

Model Elecraft K3 Serial # 00149 Test Date: 2/9/2008

IF BW 6000 –6 / -60, kHz Ultimate dB


IF BW 2400 –6 / -60, kHz Ultimate dB
IF BW 1800 –6 /-60, kHz Ultimate dB
IF BW 500 –6 /-60, Hz Ultimate dB

Front End Selectivity (A – F) B


First IF Rejection @ MHz IF 100 dB

Dynamic Range 100 kHz 104 dB IP3 dBm


Dynamic Range 20 kHz 104 dB IP3 dBm
Dynamic Range 5 kHz 102 dB IP3 dBm
Dynamic Range 2 kHz 101* dB IP3 dBm
Dynamic Range 2 kHz 95 # dB IP3 dBm
Dynamic Range 1 kHz noise dB IP3 dBm
* with 200 Hz 5-pole filter, phase noise only.
# with 500 Hz 5-pole filter, weak IMD with phase noise

Blocking of 1 uV signal reference noise floor at 100 kHz, AGC On 140 dB^
Blocking of 1 uV signal reference noise floor at 2 kHz, AGC On 123 dB^
^ Measurement was phase noise limited

Phase noise at 20 kHz spacing: 144 dBc


Phase noise at 10 kHz spacing: 138 dBc
Phase noise at 5 kHz spacing: 132 dBc
Phase noise at 2.5 kHz spacing: 126 dBc

Noise floor, SSB bandwidth 14 MHz, Preamp Off -126 dBm


Noise floor, SSB bandwidth 14 MHz, Preamp 1 On -131 dBm
Sensitivity at 14 MHz, Preamp Off 0.33 uV
Sensitivity at 14 MHz, Preamp 1 On 0.19 uV

Noise floor, 500 Hz, 14.2 MHz, Preamp Off (500 roof / 500 DSP) -130 dBm
Noise floor, 200 Hz, 14.2 MHz, preamp Off (200 roof / 200 DSP) -133 dBm
Noise floor, 500 Hz, 14.2 MHz, Preamp 1 On (500 roof / 500 DSP) -138 dBm

Noise floor, SSB, 2 MHz (500/500) -125 dBm


Noise floor, CW, 2 MHz (500/500) -129 dBm
Sensitivity, 2 MHz 0.3 uV

Signal for S9, Preamp Off / On 75 / 20 uV


Preamp(s), dB gain, 10 dB

1
AGC threshold at 3 dB, Preamp Off, config set to 15 2.1 uV
AGC threshold at 3 dB, Preamp 1 On, config set to 15 0.6 uV
AGC threshold at 10 dB, Preamp Off, config set to 13 2.3 uV

Note: Sensitivity is standard 10 dB S+N/N with a 2.7 kHz roofing filter and a 2.4 kHz
DSP bandwidth. SSB noise floor is a 3 dB S+N/N with the same filtering.

During blocking measurements, the phase noise + audio from 1 uV reference signal went
up 1 dB on the RMS meter. S meter reading also went up from reciprocal mixing. No
audio drop was measurable with using a 3 Hz bandwidth on HP 3585A spectrum analyzer
looking at the same audio being fed the HP 3400A RMS voltmeter.

Dynamic range measurements at 2 kHz or closer were limited by the phase noise of the
K3 synthesizer.

User Comments:

Over several years I have borrowed three different K3 transceivers. Initially I was
disturbed by the poor receive audio quality when driving a speaker (internal or external).
After several discussions with Elecraft, they addressed this issue in late 2008. The
improvements were significant but not nearly a 100% solution. While many others also
complain about the K3 audio, most people do not seem to notice the issue.

The line output or the headphone output is much better, and I use an external amplifier to
drive my standard Icom SP-20 speaker. This solves the receiver audio problem for me.

For a small radio, the ergonomics of the K3 are pretty good. Most buttons have two
functions, a quick push or a long push. The LCD display does not always show
important information, such as the selected bandwidth of the DSP filter. This is because
that part of the display is used for frequency of the second receiver, if installed.

The number of accessories that can upgrade the base radio have been amazing, including
a second full-performance receiver, an output for a panadapter, VHF converts, RX
receive antenna input, etc. Elecraft has to also be commended for quickly updating
firmware to fix problems or add features, such as the CW APF (audio peak filter). No
other OEM has ever been so responsive to their customers as Elecraft.

The transmitter IMD performance could be improved, but is not much worse that most
13.8 volt class B rigs. It is unfortunate that rigs today are so much worse than the Collins
S-Line from the 1960 and 1970s, in respect to the distortion sideband on SSB.

I saw the P3 panadapter at Dayton 2010, and was impressed. While reviewing the Yaesu
FTdx-5000D, a K3 / P3 owner broke into my QSO and said my signal was the cleanest he
had ever seen on the air with his P3. I must explain some details on the 5000D. If run

2
with no speech processing, no ALC at all, and in class A, it is an astonishingly clean
transmitter. Unfortunately if one turns on the processor and hits the ALC to half scale on
the meter (only 3 dB of ALC), the signal degrades to worse than most class B radios.

Personally I wish Elecraft also offered a K4 that is the size of large radio such as the IC-
765 or IC-781. (It need not be as large and heavy as an FTdx-5000D.) If it would have
more dedicated knobs, a much larger display, and the P3 built-in, that would be quite a
radio. Others have asked for such a radio out of Elecraft, but who knows if this will ever
happen.

Rev C

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