[CQ-Contest] Rig Comparisons for Transmitter Noise

[Jim Brown]

On Wed,9/10/2014 5:06 AM, Charles Morrison wrote:
> Jim, I apologize but ask for clarity.  In your paper, the CW performance
> data for the FT5000 is pre or post installation of this latest firmware from
> Yaesu which was dated on the 4th of September?

Hi Charlie,

My report is an analysis of ARRL data from their testing and published 
reviews. The Yaesu firmware revision is in response to my release of an 
early version of my report.  You can check the ARRL website for the date 
of that review.

Although I'd love to be surprised, I'm not optimistic about how much 
difference their new firmware will make, in light of the fact that this 
a company that took three product cycles to fix the much worse clicks in 
their FT1000-series products (the black curve in Fig 2). Note also that 
firmware can only change keying transients -- it cannot change phase 
noise, which is a significant part of their sideband trash close to the 
carrier. Reducing phase noise would require major redesign of the radio.

73, Jim K9YC