There is an "official S meter scale" based on microvolts at the antenna jack,
50uV is S9. Objective S meter reading? When band noise is S9+20 on my transmit
antenna, a "true" S9 signal wouldn't even be copied.
Of course on my RX antenna band noise is S1 and a strong EU signal is S5 to S6
for real easy copy.
Probably the reversebeacon style Signal to Noise would be most fair but even
that will mostly depend on relative local noise.
Tim N3QE
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Kupps [mailto:n6bk@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 07:44 PM
To: topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: 160 meter activity
Well I applaud your making the effort at giving an "honest" report. It seems to
me that 599 is reported far too casually these days and I certainly attempt to
give "honest" reports even in a (non contest) pile up. Although R reports are
fairly easy - I give 3 if I'm struggling, 4 if I have to pay attention and 5 if
it's easy. But S reports, especially on the low bands where we are often using
preamps, attenuators or both make an objective report a bit tougher.
The other night I was chatting with my pal W6YA on 20. My 100 watts to a 5/5
stack always gets a better report on his K3 than his 1500W to a 4 el gets on my
K3 until he finally said that he always uses his preamp on the high bands
because the K3 S meter is factory calibrated with the preamp on, and he like I
strive to give meaningful reports.
Anyway, I would be interested in how other ops (who care) try to give
meaningful reports - objective vs subjective. Also my compliments to N4ZR and
the RBN guys who are providing a great service to the ham DX community in this
regard.
73 Bob HS0ZIA
________________________________
From: John Harden <jhdmd@bellsouth.net>
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 9:17 PM
Subject: Topband: 160 meter activity
160 is really picking up here.....
I called CQ on 1824.5 this morning here in Atlanta at 1030 Z. VK3ZL came
back to me with a 599 report and I gave him an honest 579. The band has
been open for some time at this QTH. However, the RX antenna is the Hi-Z
4-8 PRO, 8 vertical array (with 4 antennas active at any time). No doubt
I hear signals others cannot hear. I do HIGHLY recommend it......
73,
John, W4NU
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