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Re: Topband: Silver Plated Conductor

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Silver Plated Conductor
From: "Dan Zimmerman N3OX" <n3ox@n3ox.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:55:50 -0700
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
"To get an idea of "what a difference a dB makes", download a copy of
Audacity [a free program] and install it. Then take a .wav file and listen
to it for a brief period. Next reduce the audio playback level by 1 dB
[Audacity has calibrated output so you can do this]. Listen again. Do this
several times reducing the audio level until you can actually hear that
there has been a change."

It would be better in the topband DX context to record some empty band
QRN.  Now take your .wav file and mix it with the QRN until it's just
barely copyable.  Now reduce your signal by 1dB, and step downward
until you can actually hear a change!

Not saying silver plating is worthwhile, just saying that sometimes
1dB makes a real difference.

It certainly doesn't if you're talking 59+30dB domestic signals... DX
on the other hand...

Dan
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