Being able to clearly "hear the difference" might be a good criterion if you are focused on the individual contact. If you are in a contest, making hundreds of contacts, 1 dB makes a meaningful difference even if you cannot hear the difference on any of the contacts.
-----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 3:01 PM To: 'Richard Thorne' <rtho...@rthorne.net>; 'Elecraft Reflector' <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Amp Thoughts: 1000 watts or 1500 watts? 2 dB might make a difference if you are only interested in having your call sign dug out of the noise for a contest or DXCC contact. Way back the early books from the 1930's that I read and the OT commercial operators from that era I knew said that under typical conditions found on the air, 6 dB was about the minimum change to hear a real difference in the signal while exchanging messages or other extended information. Those stations would not try a direct contact if the signals were "in the mud" opting instead for trying again at different time or getting a relay. In commercial operations we did not use the Ham RST system, but rather QSA 1 through 5. 1 was a barely detected signal in the mud. 5 was a loud signal with perfect copy. I confess to doing about the same with Ham signals, choosing between at most five levels by ear for my report without reference to an S-meter. Personally, I've never gotten very excited about anything less than a 10 dB improvement, but the only DX I work are those calling me - usually for a rag chew - and I don't contest. And, for me, Ken's observation is quite right. If I get the bug to drop my Inverted L, rub some RF grease on the wire, neaten things up in general and restring it, I do think I am getting out better and stations seem to come back more quickly. Expectations are everything! 73, Ron AC7AC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
