[TenTec] Noise blanker recommendations

[Bernie Skoch]

In my experience, the hardware NB has little effect on CW (but I generally crank down the bandwidth to 400 Hz or so).  The software one has a bit of an effect on SSB operating.

But again, I've never encountered a perfect NB.

Bernie

> On Oct 23, 2017, at 12:21, John Geiger <af5cc2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks Bernie,  Do they affect receiver performance much when engaged,
> other than reducing the noise?
> 
> 73 John AF5CC
> 
> On Mon, Oct 23, 2017 at 11:03 AM, Bernie Skoch via TenTec <
> tentec at contesting.com> wrote:
> 
>> John,
>> 
>> 
>> I have never seen a PERFECT noise blanker, but the one on my Orion II
>> comes close.  It has both "hardware" and software settings, and the DSP is
>> pretty decent too.
>> 
>> 
>> Best of luck.
>> 
>> 
>> Bernie K5XS
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John Geiger <af5cc2 at gmail.com>
>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Mon, Oct 23, 2017 10:49 am
>> Subject: [TenTec] Noise blanker recommendations
>> 
>> I was making a rather serious (given my small antennas) effort today in the
>> Illinois QSO Party and had to deal with this intermittent noise I have here
>> for pretty much the entire contest.  It is a raspy, hash type noise that
>> will be on for 2 or 3 seconds, then will end, but come back every 20 to 30
>> seconds.  I  have figured out it is not in my house, and doesn't seem to be
>> power line noise.  At one time I thought I had localized it to a house
>> about 4 houses to the west of me, but the house is now unoccupied, but the
>> noise is still there.
>> 
>> Anyways, I was using the Kenwood TS950SD which I just picked up, and it is
>> a great rig with lots of receiver tools.  The noise blanker pretty much
>> knocked out the noise, but it also produced plenty of IMD products when the
>> band got busy and put a raspy sound on many of the signals, so I was having
>> to turn the NB off and on trying to make the signals as best as I could
>> with this noise.  Even engaged the attenuator a few times on 40m which
>> helped a little, but also weakened signals.
>> 
>> I have had a slight windfall recently and can afford to get a newer, better
>> rig if I want.  Are there any recent Ten Tecs that have noise blankers that
>> take out many different types of noise, but don't mess with the receive
>> signals and receiver dynamic range?  I wonder if the DSP based noise
>> blankers are better?  An older rig would be ok also if it would meet those
>> criteria.
>> 
>> 73 John AF5CC
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