Yaesu DNR is superior, especially in the FTdx10, but it doesn’t need to be set above algorithm 3, 4, or 5 (7 max), except for CW mode where algorithm 12 or higher might be used to tamp down the ripple of the digital filter when it is set to 150Hz or less and APF is enabled with AMP1 or AMP2 enabled. The tight DSP width exhibits the characteristics of a Chebyshev filter slope. The Chebyshev filter improves selectivity in crowded band conditions, but it also has more ripple than a Butterworth type filter. But the slope of the skirts of a Butterworth are gradual and less effective against close-in signals above or below your listening frequency. A combination of DNR and manual notch can minimize the filter ripple. I show this in other videos.

The IC-7300 is definitely a good starter rig, even if it is a weaker application of the SDR concept than Flex or Anan. But the latter cost more. Every transceiver has its good and not-so-good points. None are perfect. But for me, for a few hundred dollars more, I would rather have the FTdx10, knowing that the receiver is contest class and the only improvement I could make would be to upgrade to the dual-receiver version, the FTdx101D. 73, de N4HNH

I'm glad you found the videos helpful. 73, de N4HNH

FTdx10 is very good. There is no better transceiver for less than $3,200. 73, de N4HNH

CW-L or CW-U will matter if there was QRM from a nearby frequency. But this video is about weak signal reception, not combatting interference from a nearby signal. Yaesu transceivers default to CW-U (upper side insertion), as do Kenwood and certain Elecraft. The K2 is more like the Yaesu and Kenwood while the K3 defaults to lower side insertion. ICOM defaults to lower side insertion. There is no set standard though.

I misspoke, actually my Fil2 width is 500 and FIL1 is 250. All my filters are set up this way. And I use none or lowest NR possible.

That’s awesome Richard! 73, Doug

It has a relay. The relay isn’t exceptionally loud. But relays have a limited lifespan so I use semi break-in with a 400-500ms delay. The FTdx5000MP is quiet QSK. No moving parts. 73, de N4HNH

I sometimes run without DNR. It depends on the gain structure needed to pull the weakest signals out of the noise floor at the time. Many of these stations are QRP SOTA stations that are not discernible when simply spinning the VFO. I go looking for them when they post a spot to the SOTAWATCH web page. They are often so weak you would pass them by if you didn’t already know where to listen. The first clues I look for are the signals of the others who are chasing. That confirms that someone is there and it’s time for me to work the gain stages, filtering, and DSP to isolate the signal being chased. When I’m chasing such a station that is in the noise floor and barely more than imaginary, I reduce the DSP width to 100 or even 50 Hertz, with AMP1 or maybe even AMP2 enabled, if necessary. I might also employ APF. The narrow DSP width helps block most of the noise produced by the extra sensitivity that was needed to even detect the signal in the first place. That leaves only the filter ripple and the signal, both of which are competing. The filter ripple is common with the steep skirts of the Chebyshev filter, especially when extra gain is applied. The filter ripple happens at the frequency of the sidetone, so it can be extremely difficult to discern the signal from the ripple. The DNR minimizes much of the filter ripple. If there is any residual ripple, I use my notch trick to take care of it, and I’m left with only the dits and dahs. If you watch enough videos on this channel you will see many scenarios, and different techniques used, including the notch trick. Not all transceivers are equipped with filtering, DNR, and APF that is up for such a challenge. I confirmed that when I spent 8 months testing the transceivers from the major manufacturers, specifically looking for the one that was the best at pulling out barely above imaginary signals, both CW and SSB. I pull out QRP CW signals over 2,000 miles away with only a dipole antenna at 45 feet. I use the Contour control, instead of APF, when the ghost station is SSB. Of course, if I’m listening to a strong signal, I can just roll the RF Gain back and enjoy. But I like the challenge of making an S zero to S1 station sound almost as good as an S9 signal. 73, de N4HNH

I agree with you 100% Keith.

Thank you for your comment. And yes, it is amazing how efficient CW is; even with 100W. The Power Spectral Density on the transmit side, coupled with a receiver set at 50 or 100 Hz bandwidth, makes CW much more efficient than SSB. I shot a video about Power Spectral Density a few weeks ago. There is also a video showing SSB versus CW, at the following link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/idKGo6mm1tOqeps.html The world of CW is so quiet that one can become addicted to the lower noise floor. Especially with receivers as quiet as the FTdx10, FTdx101D, or FTdx5000MP. My friend Joel has a FTdx101MP. He rarely turns on his amplifier now. The 200W from the radio is already an advantage. But, unless you are competing with a bunch of chasers running 1,500W into a Yagi to work the Pitcairn Islands, 100W is plenty. The SOTA activators are mostly QRP stations. If I can hear their 5W, they can definitely hear my 100W. 73, de N4HNH

@@n4hnhradio What nice fireds you have...dose't barrow you the 101MP for a comparation between 101MP and dx10? The same...for CW/SOTA/QRP stations? Now that I am convinced to make the upgrade...am m not shure if 101D/101MP is worth to buy instead of dx10. AS you know...I sow some comparations...but they compare "apples" to "apples"...and this is like comparing if apple have better taste than a apple. I am interested in best RX...as the best as they can...(all in)...something like you video (by the way...thanks for the video...this is what I expected from a compration...not that the power led is more green...)

The 100 watt ft dx10 is no different than the 100 watt other transceivers :)

@@MrCudgel True...but there are other differences between 101d/MP and dx10. And I am curios if are differences in RX part. The big problem that I have is that I am in a city with high noise level. Also, as 80% of hams...I can't put a ideal antenna...

The FTdx101D and the FTdx10 share the same receiver architecture. The FTdx101D has two receivers, multiple antenna connections, a variable preselector (VC Tune), and the display is slightly bigger. The RMDR score for the FTdx101D is 110dB. The RMDR score for the FTdx10 is 107dB. So both receivers are very good. Not many receivers exceed a 100dB RMDR score. 73, de N4HNH

What you say about getting your brain to filter out noise is really true and I don't plan on going out to buy the DX10 right away. But, it's definitely #1 on my next rig I want to get! If i don't ever get it, that's fine, because this is a hobby. But as great as an Icom 7300 is (and it's really good - definitely a fantastic first rig), the DX10 is worth the difference in price for its greater selectivity. I look at it this way - $700 more for better selectivity and better DNR - not to mention a built in monitor port and its useful contour filtering. Do I need any other selling points to pay $700 more? Nope! This is a definitive video for me to clearly see it's value but you're absolutely right about training your ear. And that's what I'll be doing.

That is definitely a good technique when the signals are strong. I mostly chase QRP stations. I cannot lower RF Gain. I need maximum sensitivity with minimum noise. 73, de N4HNH

@@n4hnhradio You can't hear below the noise level. Honestly, HF rigs are overly sensitive. I just back the RF gain just below the noise level. You can still hear weak stations.

Enjoy your method.

Indeed the ICOM suffers from strong signals. It lacks proper front-end components. Flex Radio did SDR right. ICOM cut corners. But that helps make the ICOM affordable for new operators who are looking for an inexpensive radio. I recommend the use of ATT and RF Gain for the low bands anyway, but especially for the IC-7300. You don’t need much sensitivity on 1.8 to 7.3 MHz. And sometimes you don’t need it on 14 MHz. But you are right. The OVR light flashes to let you know that the receiver is being overloaded. The IC-7300 also lacks selectivity, compared to other radios, including other SDRs. The hybrid architecture of the FTdx101D, FTdx101MP, and the FTdx10 represents the best receiver architecture I have seen. The front-end overload is not a problem and selectivity is superior. 73, de N4HNH

Doug - You nailed it. I am an Icom fan, but they did not do SDR receive like Flex (Flex does have other issues). I have had the 7300 & 7610 & sold them. I am much happier with my IC-7410 superhet I currently run with an outboard SDR for the panadapter. It has a much quieter receiver. The FTdx-10 is at the top of the list for my next rig.

FTdx10 is a game-changer. 73, de N4HNH

I think you will be very pleased with the FTdx10. Dual Superheterodyne, down-conversion, SDR, and supreme DSP makes a phenomenal combination. 73, de N4HNH

Hi Paul! Just about any wired mouse with a USB connector should work. But only certain wireless mice will work. I had an old Logitech in a drawer, and it works. 73, Doug

@@n4hnhradio ok

I’m glad you found a monitor. You will enjoy the big display of the data.

Paul, I looked at my wireless mouse. It is a Logitech M-RCS143. It definitely works with the FTdx10. 73, Doug

The IC-7300 was released in 2015. The FTdx10 was released in late 2020. They are both good transceivers, but they are not the same class of transceiver. IC-7300 is very user-friendly and makes a great first HF transceiver. It is great for casual, rag chew, style operation. The FTdx10 is a contest class radio. It has a steeper learning curve due to its enhanced and advanced features. It has physical roofing filters after the first IF. It features a Contour filter to assist with pulling out SSB signals at the noise floor, it includes an Audio Peak Filter for improved CW reception, and the Digital Noise Reduction is in a class with only the FTdx101D, FTdx101MP, and FTdx5000MP. The IC-7300 and FTdx10 should not be compared. I only made this video because so many viewers were asking me to. The Yaesu radio that is more comparable to the IC-7300 is the FT-991A. 73, de N4HNH

Hi Jay! Charlie is good people, as we say here in the South. The K3 is a fine receiver but the FTdx10 edges by it. The FTdx10 competes with my FTdx5000MP. It beats the $14,000 IC-7851, the $17,000 Hiberling PT-8000A, and the Kenwood TS-990S for the main receiver test, RMDR. In fact it is second only to its big brother, the FTdx101D. The FTdx10 is a dual-superheterodyne receiver in conjunction with a SDR stage. It is considered to be a hybrid. It has the superior selectivity of a superheterodyne receiver, with no front-end overload. Does it have flaws? Every radio does. But they are mostly minor. I cover a couple of them in my nitpick videos. But, for weak signal chasing, especially CW, the FTdx10 is a beast. I recommend the optional 300Hz roofing filter to make the best even better for CW. I hope this helps. 73, de Doug, N4HNH

@@n4hnhradio tnx Doug. Yeah I know the struggle of iOS and videos. My monitor only takes hdmi so I’m trying to figure that out and also the keying cable for the als600 amp. I don’t see much on cables for the din plug to rca which is the tr on the amp. Tnx fer putting in the effort for all the videos. I’ve almost completed them. Man I’ve been chasing sota for along time and had no idea how to log them. No telling how many points I have floating around. Hehe. Maybe I should look for a video on your channel about logging sota correctly. Or shoot you an email. 73 brother. And yes Charlie is great. A real inspiration to my Cw learning. Sk Jay

Hi Jay! If you logged those chases, you can enter them into the SOTA database at any time. You just need to know time, band, and summit designator. The time can be +/- 30 minutes. You submit at this link: www.sotadata.org.uk/en/upload/chaser You will need to create a login. It’s free. I suggest that you not use your callsign. If you later change your callsign, you cannot change your username. You would still have to log in under your old callsign. So just make up a user name that isn’t your callsign (i.e. Jaybird, BlueJay, Jaydio, etc.). 73, de N4HNH

Someone sells a cable on eBay that connects to the Linear port on the FTdx10 and has RCA plugs on the other end for PTT and ALC. Elecraft makes a cable for their amps that sends band data and PTT to their amps. That’s what I use. Elecraft doesn’t recommend using ALC. I’ve never used ALC with my amplifiers. It can cause splatter if not set perfectly. I just set my mic gain and processor carefully. 73, de N4HNH

@@ON6KE Noo...you didn't understand...I love my wife...But I prefer to spend money on the rig than on presents...and prefer to stay in my shack/sota locations instead of making 1000 km

Whatever works. Some people’s hearing is different than others. I mostly chase QRP CW stations that are 2,000+ miles away and are barely above imaginary. If there is any noise, they are lost. I have to eliminate noise until all I hear is their signal. 73, de N4HNH

@@n4hnhradio I have been a ham since 1962. experience by many of us is that the human brain can copy a weak cw signal as much as 20 db below the noise level. all this before computers. example, copy a weak moon bounce signal. leave the SSB filter in. and listen for the signal in the noise works better than narrowing up the bandwidth. the new ways of doing things have merit but don't disparage the human brain and operator skill.