The Elecraft K3 stands out as a platform for stereo diversity reception due to its two identical high 
performance receivers (when equipped with KRX3 option) with appropriate routing of antennas, VFOs and 
stereo audio.  A bonus for stereo diversity is the phase-locking of the two VFOs and ultimately of the K3 
receivers' audio.  The receiver control interface design is receiving special attention from Elecraft 
engineering and their commitment is bearing fruit with continual enhancements in diversity reception.
  
Prior to the K3, the only commercial amateur transceivers capable of stereo diversity reception as delivered 
were the Ten-Tec Orion and Orion II.  However, the Orion subreceiver is vastly inferior in performance to the 
main receiver and the two receivers are not phase-locked.  Even with these limitations, the Orion proved the 
concept and advantages of stereo diversity reception for amateur use in not only improving signal readability 
in the presence of noise (QRN), interference (QRM), or fading (QSB), but also in creating a sense of stereo 
depth to received signals and pileups in routine use.  Previously, I explored diversity reception with the 
Ten-Tec Orion.  As far as other commercial dual-receive amateur transceivers that come close to meeting 
the requirements of a stereo diversity platform, the Yaesu FT-1000D can be modified to add stereo diversity 
capability and the Icom IC-7800 lacks the capability to slave the two VFOs together to tune the two receivers 
in tandem.


K3 Stereo Diversity sound clips
If you have difficulty clicking the links below and playing the audio in your browswer, please right click
the link and choose "save as" to download the clip and play locally.  These clips must naturally be heard 
with stereo headphones (recommended) or speakers connected to the computer soundcard.

CQ WW CW 2008 40M run 1 9MB edited recording, stereo diversity reception with horiz polarized delta loop-left, NE Beverage-right; 

CQ WW CW 2008 40M run 2 3MB edited recording, stereo diversity reception with horiz polarized delta loop-left, NE Beverage-right; 

6W/DL4JS on 160M cw 20October2008 2330Z, 600hz bandwith, stereo diversity reception
this recording begins with 6W/DL4JS calling CQ (SE Bev-right NE Bev-left) and then switches to the calling pileup (NW Bev-right SW Bev-left)  

EY8MM calling CQ on 80M cw 22October2008 2330Z, 350hz bandwith, stereo diversity reception with 1/4 wave vert-left, NE Bev-right   

6 JA Topband QSO's 6November2008 stereo diversity reception with tx vertical-left, NW Beverage-right; 12min edited recording with JA7NI,
JA3FYC, JQ2VVH, JH0BBE, JA8ISU (100w !), and JR7VHZ calling me - amazing propagation but deep QSB and QRN     

4S7NE on 160M cw 8November2008 0030Z, stereo diversity reception with tx vertical-left, NE Beverage-right; 9min editing recording;
first time south Asia has been heard this well from this QTH; I'm experimenting with K3's noise blanker, so you can hear it switching on 
and off at times    

RZ0AF on 160M cw 8November2008 2250Z, stereo diversity reception with tx vertical-left, NE Beverage-right; deep QSB with QSO in fade
condx followed by RZ0AF CQ'ing in peak condx   

75M AM ragchew stereo diversity reception with vertical-left, NE Beverage-right; 6Khz filter on K3 with AGC turned off shows K3's fb rx audio
  
JA7NI on 160M cw 22November2008 1155Z, stereo diversity reception with tx vertical-right, NW Beverage-left; 
 
RZ0AF on 160M cw 22November2008 1105Z, stereo diversity reception with tx vertical-right, NE Beverage-left; 
                 
E51QQQ on 80M cw 22November2008 1055Z, stereo diversity reception with NW Beverage-right, SW Beverage-left; 

UA9MA on 160M cw 23November2008 2357Z, stereo diversity reception with tx vertical-right, NE Beverage-left;