[TowerTalk] perspective

[TexasRF@aol.com]

We can estimate the worth of a system db by comparing the top contest scores 
between the high power and low power categories. I have not done this for hf 
contests but I would bet the points per db would be pretty well defined. This 
comparison would basically tell the story as related to how well the station 
is heard as receive capability between high and low power categories would be 
similar.

Several years ago I did a study of moonbounce contest scores and stations to 
determine what kind of antenna system would be needed to give a top score on 
2 meters. I found that in that contest 1 db would be worth approximately 25 
qsos (2 meters only). The formula is still close but varies somewhat from 
year to year depending on activity level and quality of propagation 
conditions. 

The challenges of contesting on 160, 80 and 40 meters are similar to 
moonbounce contesting: You are dealing with quite a few marginal strength 
signals compared to the higher bands. It would seem that the dbs would be 
more important on these bands than the higher bands.

73 de k5gw

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com