Actually, the smallest level difference the average human ear can detect is right at 1 decibel (dB). This was originally developed from an earlier unit of attenuation, the MSC (Miles of Standard Cable), at a frequency of approximately 800 Hz. The Transmission Unit (TU) was was devised by bell labs in the 1920s, to replace the MSC. The decibel (1/10th of a Bel) was refined from the TU, named in honor of Alexander Graham Bell. The dB was larger than the TU by a factor of 10. Since the Bel proved to be too large for practical use, the dB came to be much more commonly used, and has since become the standard unit of power ratio for acoustics and electronics. Source: Wikipedia
- Jim, KL7CC eric manning wrote: > The difference between 500w and a kilowatt is just 3 dB, the minimum the > ear can I detect if I recall it right. > The analogy with the nuclear arms race seems bang on. > > Eric > > VA7DZ > K3 3620 > > > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
