[TenTec] Dirty Transmitters - Flex and Yaesu

[Darrell Bellerive VE7IU]

It took a very long time for Rob Sherwood's judgements to take hold and 
for real change to happen. The fact that some manufacturers are taking 
steps to improve the cleanliness of transmitters is encouraging. It will 
take time, but I believe we will see improvement across the board.

I applaud those who, like Rob Sherwood and Jim Brown K9YC, have taken 
the time to test and document the cleanliness of transmitters. There is 
great information available to those researching the purchase of a clean 
transmitter.

The information is quite technical, and there is more than one cause of 
a dirty transmitter. Not to take away from the great work that has been 
published, but I have wondered if a "dirty transmitter" or "worst 
polluter" list or, with a positive spin, a "cleanest transmitter list" 
would not help promote the idea. A single "score" type of list.

Look at how manufacturers now try to be ranked high on Rob's list of 
receivers. Perhaps the same for transmitters would help to accelerate 
the adoption of change. A simple list with a single overall score and 
then a link to a bit more detailed information. Many hams tend to like 
the technical side of things and take note of 20 dB less signal 2 kHz 
from the carrier, but having a single "score" might be a better means to 
an end.

Developing the score and the criteria for such a list would be more 
difficult to determine, and certainly in constant dispute, but some form 
of weighted formula combining issues such as IMD, phase noise, key 
clicks, etc., to determine the score would be required.

And big numbers tend to be perceived as more valued than small numbers, 
so make the theoretically cleanest transmitter possible have a score of 
1000, and the theoretically dirtiest possible transmitter a score of 0.

It would take a very thick skinned individual to pick criteria, develop 
a formula for a single score, and publish the list. But I do think such 
a list would help motivate manufacturers and purchasers to make better 
choices.

73, Darrell VE7IU

On 15-12-10 02:11 AM, rick at dj0ip.de wrote:
> snip...
>
> But I have been listening to what Rob Sherwood says since 1976 and so far he
> has been spot on with his judgment.
> Elecraft, FLEX, TEN-TEC and many other companies listen to his suggestions.
> Those who don't work with him so closely are coincidently the ones whose
> transmitters are polluting our bands!
>
> Clearly Elecraft has shown us the path.
> I hope others will follow and even use this technology in the lower cost
> radios.
>
> In any case I applaud everyone participating in this discussion.
> It is high time we discuss this topic as a technical topic, rather than
> blaming it on some LID ham.
>
> snip...
>
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)
>
>