SHERWOOD SOUND BYTES

Rob has several operating positions but "this one" not only shows his favorite position, it also depicts some of the messages he tries to share with the thousands of people who follow his research. 

With all those multi-thoushand dollar transceivers to choose from, in most of his presentations, Rob still raves about the ergonmics of the IC-781 and the fun he has using this transceiver.  This picture also shows that your ham radio dollars, first and foremost should be invested in the antenna system, not in the radio.  (See his antenna farm, here:  SHERWOOD FOREST 

It also tells me that Rob must be in my age group because like me, he uses a microphone out of the 1950s, a loud speaker with filters in order to hear better, and a cheat sheet to enhance the short-term memory when tuning the linear! (hi)

You will find more pictures in the NC0B Photo Gallery.  (still under construction)

"SHERWOOD SOUND BYTES"  is a collection of related and non-related data burst Rob has shared with us in several of the online forums he participates in.

• SSB-01:    Transceiver Performance

• SSB-02:    Do not over-rate Dynamic Range (DR3)

• SSB-03:    Receiver Characteristics

• SSB-03a:  Inconsistent SPECS (of Receiver Characteristics)

• SSB-04:    ARRL testing using 3 Hz Noise Filter   

• SSB-05:    Testing Methods for SSB 

• SSB-06:    S-Meter Accuracy (on recent radios)

• SSB-07:    Roofing Filters

• SSB-08:    Optimum Reception when High Noise Level is Presant
• SSB-08a:   Digi-Mode Reception, High Noise Level Presant

• SSB-09:     Elecraft K3S  vs.  K4  "Front End Overload"

• SSB-10:    Receiver Overload at Multi TX Sites

• SSB-11:    2 Methods of Reporting TX IMD

• ​SSB-12:    Blocking Trends of Different RX Technologies

• SSB-13:    Solid State vs. Tube Amplifiers (IMD)

SSB-01  Transceiver Performance

SSB-02  Do not overate Dynamic Range (DR3)

This comment was made to the Ten-Tec Eagle group, thus the frequent mention of Ten-Tec.

SSB-03  RECEIVER CHARACTERISTICS

Under Construction

SSB-06  S-Meter Accuracy

SSB-07  Roofing Filters

Under Construction

SSB-08  Optimum Reception when High Noise Level is Present

In this sound byte, Rob explains how to set up a modern receiver for best reception under noisy band conditions.

SSB-08a  Digi-Modes, High Noise Level is Present

In this sound byte, Rob explains how to set up a modern receiver for best reception when working Digi-Modes under noisy band conditions.

SSB-09  Elecraft K3S vs. K4 Front End Overload

Just because some hams are not aware of direct sampling receiver overload doesn’t mean it never happens.  Any radio can be overloaded in a worst-case RF environment.

If you doubt the power level coupled between two Yagis 200 feet apart, please read the following PDF (at nc0b.com/dxe) or directly below in SSB-10.  When running legal limit the power into the other radio would be over 35 watts!   This is what multi-multi stations have to deal with.

A K3S blocks with a signal 22 dB higher than a K4/K4D reaches ADC over-range. 

Most of us will likely never need that level of performance.  I certainly don’t with my QTH 12.7 miles away from my closest neighboring ham.  [Note: the K4 radio compared here does not have the optional hybrid front-end.]

SSB-10:   Receiver Overload at Multi TX Sites

[Note: in this SSB, Rob show an example of how bad a receiver can be overloaded at a multi-TX site and shows one way of protecting the receiver.]

If you doubt the power level coupled between two Yagis 200 feet apart, please read the following PDF :

SSB-11:  2 Methods of Reporting TX IMD

In this sound bite, Rob explains how TX IMD is sometimes stated in two different methods.  When comparing IMD between two transmiters or amplifiers, be sure that both numbers are stated sing the same method. 

SSB-12:  Blocking Trends of Different RX Technologies

In this sound bite, Rob compares the blocking levels of traditional Superhetrodyne radios with that of Direct Sampling SDR radios, as well as Hybrid-Superhet radios.

SSB-13:  Solid State vs. Tube Amplifiers

Solid State linear amplifiers are gaining in popularity due to their simplicity of use (i.e., no tune). Unfortunately, their Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) products are significantly worse than those of tube amplifiers.