Topband: Sensitivity versus strong local signal performance

[Steve Ireland]

At 05:07 PM 30/06/2003 -0400, you wrote:

KB8JVH said:
>What value is a rig that can
>hear below the noise floor if it can't tolerate strong nearby signals while
>doing so? Maybe someone can enlighten me.

VK6VZ replied:
G'day

I guess the answer to that question is that it all depends on whether you
have any fellow topbanders nearby and what sort of signal levels you get
from the rest of the world.

The oldest saying in radio goes "you gotta hear them to work them".  It's
no good having a bullet-proof front end if you can't hear the weakest
signals - and not all topbanders need bullet-proof front ends (all the
time) anyway - particularly those of us who live in relative isolation.

One advantage of being a topbander is that most other radio amateurs
operators don't have the energy to get up at 5am.  Another thing is most
serious topbanders also have directional receive antenna systems - which
can be used to cut down signal levels of strong local signals as well as
increase the strength of weak DX.

Like Earl K6SE, I have a couple of radios here that are easy to switch in
and out - and pick which one suits the operating conditions best.  If there
are no strong local signals on, I will always use the one that is best at
pulling out the weak ones.

Vy 73

Steve, VK6VZ