[TenTec] Orion power output

[Tom Rauch]

From:           	Caitlyn Martin <caitlynmaire at earthlink.net>
To:             	"Simmons, Reid W" <reid.w.simmons at intel.com>
Copies to:      	TenTec at contesting.com
Subject:        	Re: [TenTec] Orion power output
Date sent:      	Mon, 18 Mar 2002 15:40:36 -0500

> Hi, Reid, and everyone else,
> 
> > I also question the need for the extra 50 watts.  I believe it takes
> > a 3dB increase to be detectable by the human ear, and about 6 dB to
> > equal one 'S' unit increase.  So, 150 vs 100 watts is mostly
> > marketing/advertising hype with virtually no benefit to the user -
> > but a slight benefit to the power company :-).
> 
> Thank you.  That verifies what I thought I knew to be true.  

One dB (not 3dB) is the smallest level increase recognized by the 
human ear, whatever that means. This applies to only a single tone 
with no noise or interference.  

The one dB rule does NOT apply to signals in noise or interference. 
When a signal is in noise or interference, one dB can make a 
HUGE difference in readability.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI at contesting.com