I might be favorably impressed with the Orion's performance, but for
VHF/UHF and up, it wouldn't be the limiting factor. So I think money is
better spent on antenna arrays and signal frequency amplifiers than IF
equipment. Besides, after a decade or two of umpteen conversion
receivers that tend to have a poor S/N after the detector (probably as
much a problem of poor gain distribution as wimpy output IF stages and
little selectivity between the last filter and the gain stages leading
to the product detector) I'm going single conversion for VHF and UHF.
And my receiver will have a SSB filter right AT the product detector for
another 3 DB improvement in S/N at audio. The receiver uses a VCXO for
superb phase noise performance AND better S/N after detection.
I'm starting with a German QRP 2m kit and adding on.
73, Jerry, K0CQ
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Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.
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