>
>Dick Green wrote:
>>
>> .91dB may only buy a few S-units,
? 0.91db is less than one-sixth of one S-unit.
> > but that can make a huge difference when
>> copying weak signals or when the band is noisy. Most people seem to do their
>> on-air tests when signals are relatively strong and the differences are
>> harder to detect. I think it would be more revealing to do these tests with
>> the very weak, almost "ESP" signals that are common in contests and DXing.
>
>I'm a CW DXer and I agree 100%. Every fraction of a db adds up,
>especially when
>it comes from the antenna, but also when it's transmit-only. My new amp will
>run 1500 watts out, compared to 700-800 from my SB1000, and I am confident
>that it will make a BIG difference in pileups and under poor conditions. It
>doesn't hurt to reduce loss in coax, tuners, etc. either, even if each
individual
>improvement is only a fraction of a DB.
>
>For what it's worth (not much these days, I guess), I will be careful to
>keep it to 1500 watts or less. If everything is possible, nothing is
worthwhile.
>
Amen. When I was a kid, I heard "you have to hear 'em to work 'em". Now
it's possible to hear weak ones on a telephone line, either through the
Internet, or through a computer-controlled receiver site across the pond.
- cheers, Vic.
Rich...
R. L. Measures, 805-386-3734, AG6K, www.vcnet.com/measures
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/ampfaq.html
Submissions: amps@contesting.com
Administrative requests: amps-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-amps@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
|