The thing to watch for with these things is how and where you install it. The typical scanner has a noise figure in the range of about 6 db (I've measured some), so it CAN create some improvement. But if it's got 2 db of feedline loss in front of it, it's a wash, and may cause overload problems. Put it on the other end of that 2 db lossy feedline, and you've made a 4 db over all improvement in the receive system's noise figure.
If it goes in front of a higher quality receiver, however, it WILL degrade that receiver's performance. It''s those pesky laws of physics getting in the way.
Do you run a filter of any sort in front of it? That kind of wide BW is begging for some sort of out of band signal, like FM broadcast, to slam it into compression.
They work, but I don't like the mechanical quality that they add to voice. I use an SGC DSP speaker for weak signal SSB work, and they're quite helpful. But for FM, I prefer to improve actual RF performance as much as I can.
It IS cost effective, for the level of performance it offers. No arguement there. I'm one of those guys who would spend $250 for a .2db NF, though... especially if I can get it with a 40dbm IP3. That's the difference between .5 uv and .25 uv. It may not seem like a lot, but in a side by side comparison, it can stand out. It all depends on what your needs are, and abilities to pay for performance.
LOL... thanks, but not necessary. I'm pretty dang happy with my RX performance.
