[CQ-Contest] S/N ratio

[Ethan Miller K8GU]

Tim,

I'm not familiar with the tools you are using; but, I suspect that the
SNR is specified in dB, not a simple ratio.  All of this is difficult
to translate into the qualitative experience you'll have at your own
station other than to say paths with higher SNR quoted yield a high
likelihood that you'll be able to complete a QSO with another station
in that area.  I believe someone else mentioned that N6BV has done a
lot of work on this for the ARRL Antenna Books over the past 15-20
years or so.  You might look at what he's done.

One more thing:  models are a lot like Google.  No matter what you put
in, they'll give you an answer---and that's comforting.  Most of the
time, the answer is pretty good if you frame your inputs and
expectations correctly.  But, sometimes the answer isn't too useful or
meaningful.  Ray-tracing models can tell you a lot about what TOAs to
design for or when obscure paths might open.  But, they can't tell you
if somebody from that part of the world is on the air and trying to
work you when the path is open.  Contesting is a little bit physics, a
little bit engineering, a little bit social science, and a little bit
marketing.  (A physicist would tell you it's all physics, though.)
You'll learn as much from operating a few WW's as you will from
running models, but they're both fun and educational!

I hope you have a good time and meet your goals this weekend...

73,

--Ethan, K8GU/9.
http://www.k8gu.com/