Phil, the short answer is -10dB worse to +10dB better... The long answer is it
depends on the details...
I have the MK-V with the Inrad roofing filter and a full filter set <I have
never used a Field model> and the OII with a full filter set, and a 6+ (564)
with the Inrad CW roofing filter and a full filter set... These are
outstanding DX and contest radios... A $20,000 RACAL cannot do what these
radios do in the contesting environment...And, I feel the receiver on the OII
is superior to the MK-V and the 6+...
Does that mean I can work signals on the OII I can't even hear on the MK-V or
the 6+? The answer is no... But in heavy qrm I can puzzle out the call or the
exchange faster on the OII - personal opinion... And 'maybe' I can work a qsb
signal that is just at the noise level, with heavy static crashes, on the OII
that I could not with the others - maybe not... The devil here, is in the
details...
If you just plug in a MK-V or an OII, turn em on and go for it, you are not
likely to hear any difference - you will get killed in heavy QRM... You need
to select the best filter / bandwidth for the conditions <once in a while in
really vicious qrm going way wide will allow you to copy what you can't on the
narrow filter, always worth a few seconds trial>... You need to turn off the
AGC and the Preamp... You need to use Attenuation and the RF Gain control to
avoid overloading the IF stages... You need to set the audio to a comfortable
level and the RF Gain becomes your main volume control.... You need to get used
to using IF shift - just a little goes a long ways - and on CW, switching
sidebands is another tool... Having a receive-only antenna is a must at times
on the lower bands... And having done all this you need to condition that
filter between your ears - ten pushups (contacts) every day to tone the muscle
and hit every contest on the weekends even if only for an
hour, as a cardio workout...
And there are times when the qrm is laid on top that elusive dx signal in
layers and there is just nothing you can do about it... The guys you hear
working the DX through the qrm are in a different geographic area, are hearing
different levels of qrm than you, and have antennas with different patterns
than yours - apples and oranges and nothing you can do will change that....
Now, I would love to tell you that buying an OII will solve all your problems,
but I can't... I made the decision only after long and careful thought and
monitoring the various whine, errrrr, chat groups.... Before you deep six the
MK-Vconsider spending the money to outfit it with narrow filters and spend time
doing the things i have outlined <if you haven't already - if you have, then
just plonk me :>..
Bottom line; I am very happy with my OII and glad I bought it... ymmv...
cheers ... denny / k8do - often confused but never in doubt...
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