All of the test numbers listed below are from the ARRL reviews for each rig. (See below for descriptions of each test and links to QST articles about these tests.)
QST K2 Product Review March 2000
ARRL/QST Test Lab Staff Comments on close in (<= 5kHz) dynamic range tests and the K2.
These numbers are for 14Mhz operation (except phase noise), 500 Hz CW filter, AGC off, High Ip mode.
XX / YY = (preamp-off) / (preamp-on) test results
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phase Noise (dBc at +4 kHz) | Phase Noise (dBc at +10 kHz) |
|
K2 |
-131/-138 |
97 / 98 |
+21.6 / +6.9 |
+76 / +75 |
136 / 128 |
-120 | -126 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-118 | -125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-117 | -123 |
|
IC-756 PRO* |
-128 / -136 / -140 |
95 / 92 / 88 |
+15.4 / +4.3 / -6.9 |
+64 / +63 / +43 |
127 / 125 / 120 |
-130 | -135 |
|
TS-870 |
-129 / -139 |
97 / 95 |
+16 / +4 |
+63 / +63 |
127 / 123 |
-118 | -125 |
|
Kachina 505DSP |
-133 / -142 |
99 / 97 |
+15.5 / +3.5 |
+49 / +30 |
103 / 103 |
-117 | -122 |
|
Pegasus 550DSP |
-132 |
77 |
+7.2 |
+44.3 |
110 (nl) |
-104 | -111 |
|
Patcom PC-1600A |
-127 |
94 |
+17.6 |
+54.1 |
118 |
-100 | -108 |
|
IC-706MKIIG |
-136/-142 |
89 / 86 |
-1.3 / -11 |
+36.4 / +38.5 |
122(nl) / 120(nl) |
-118 | -128 |
|
|
|
90 / 88 |
|
|
113 / 109 |
-115 | -125 |
|
|
-125 |
87 |
|
|
119 |
-95 | -115 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
+32 |
110 (nl) |
-108 | -100 |
Numbers in RED indicate data that is below the average result for all of the radios listed above.
* The IC-756 PRO has two different gain preamps. Numbers are for Pre-Off / Pre #1 / Pre #2. Pre #2 adds more RX gain than Pre #1 at the expense of dynamic range. Higher preamp gain reduces strong signal dynamic range. For comparison, Pre-Off and Pre #1 most closely match the K2's and other radio's settings and are the most commonly used positions.
nl = test was noise limited (noise floor rose 1db before 1db of blocking desense occurred)
MDS = Minimum Discernible Signal (3db increase above noise floor). Larger negative numbers are generally better, but too much sensitivity can reduce strong signal dynamic range and Ip3. Pre-Amp On MDS numbers of -130 dBm or more are more than adequate for most HF band operating, since band noise is typically above this number. (Lower frequencies need less MDS (more +number) due to an increase in atmospheric noise.)
IMDDR3 = 2 tone (20 kHz spacing) 3rd order Two tone IMD Dynamic Range. This test shows how the RX performs in the presence of multiple strong nearby signals in relation to its sensitivity (MDS). Higher is better. Pre-Amp Off IMDDR3 numbers of +95dBm or more are considered excellent.
Ip3 = 2 tone (20 kHz spacing) 3rd order Intercept Point. This test also shows how the RX performs in the presence of multiple strong nearby signals. Higher is better. Pre-Amp OFF IP3 numbers of +15dBm are good, and +20dBm or more is excellent. Note: Low RX sensitivity can also artificially increase the measured Ip3.
Ip2 = 2 tone (8.020MHz, 6.000MHz) 2nd order Intercept Point This test shows how the RX performs in the presence of multiple strong out of band signals (such as broadcast signals on 6Mhz and 8Mhz creating birdies at 14Mhz). Higher is better. A Pre-Amp OFF IP2 of +55dBm is OK, and +70dBm or more is considered excellent.
BDR = Blocking Dynamic Range (20 kHz spacing). This test shows when the receiver's sensitivity begins to drop in the presence of strong near by signals. (Desense). A Pre-Amp OFF BDR of greater than 120dBm is good. Greater than 130dBm is considered excellent.
Phase Noise = value read from ARRL test graph at +10 kHz from the carrier. Numbers are for the worst case band. Larger negative numbers are better. Bad phase noise contributes to poor RX Blocking Dynamic Range (desense from nearby signals.) Good values are -120 dBc or better at +10 kHz. See the actual ARRL phase noise plots in each review for details of other spurious phase noise components.
Additional descriptions of what these numbers mean and how you can evaluate a rig can be found on the ARRL web site at the following links:
QST Product Reviews: A Look Behind The Scenes
(917,504 bytes, PDF file)
Learn how the ARRL Laboratory evaluates new products - and what all those numbers mean to you!
Lab Notes - What Rig Should I Buy? (360,448 bytes, PDF file)
For a more detailed discussion of each rig, please see the ARRL reviews from QST.
ARRL Results are from QST rig reviews (K2, 3/00; IC756 PRO, 6/00; Omni6+, 11/97; FT1000MP, 4/96; Scout, 12/93; TS-50, 9/93; SGC-2020, 10/98; IC706MKII, 7/99; Ten Tec Pegasus, 2/00; Kachina 505DSP, 5/98; Patcom PC-1600A, 12/00)