Topband: Giving "true" signal reports

[Ron Spencer]

What do you give if you listen to the signal on a beverage? Does it
have a preamp and do you take that into account? A S9 on the transmit
antenna won't be S9 on a beverage. I think the idea of using a contest
to find out how you are getting out is fine but you don't, as others
have already pointed out, need a signal report for that.

Did you work the station you were calling? Did it take a LONG time or
not? What were the conditions at their end? LOTS of variables
including the conditions at their station. If you want "true" signal
reports use the reverse beacon network. All the above applies but you
can compare your signal to someone else's knowing the conditions were
similar if not the same.

Ron
N4XD