[TowerTalk] perspective

[i4jmy@iol.it]

To perform serious tests, not the signal from the antenna to receiver, 
but the transmitter power has to be reduced.
Most HF receiver ground floor is much lower than external noise and 
there's not a great meaning in reducing noise and wanted signal at same 
rate and amount.
Like that the S/N remains substantially unmodified S/N and changes will 
be only noted when the signal will approach the internal receiver 
ground floor, or when the overall receiver gain is low and the AUDIO 
gain has to be increased and delivers the "hisses" that will mask the 
demodulated signal, in spite of the good front end NF and in spite of 
the 250Hz IF filter used.
The test MUST be performed under this perspective.
Stated a noise floor that's mostly external to HF receivers, how much 
the S/N vary and operator brain detect informations when a signal is 
close to the existing noise and its power is changed.
Someone appear not to believe it, but close to the noise level, even a 
single dB is noticeable amount in readibility.
It's real that a good antenna pattern would help more to receive, but 
we can't force someone else changes his antenna or to move from a noisy 
area to be able in hearing better our signal.
If he doesn't change his antenna, how can we enhance the way he listen 
to us if not increasing our ERP ?

73,
Mauri I4JMY


> ---------- Initial message -----------
> 
> From    : Ray LaRue <w4byg@qsl.net>
> To      : "i4jmy@iol.it" <i4jmy@iol.it>
> Cc      : w7why@freewwweb.com, towertalk@contesting.com
> Date    : Thu, 20 Jul 2000 12:17:55 -0400
> Subject : Re: [TowerTalk] perspective
> 
> Been at this business over 40 years.  Been lurking the list a long 
time
> to, but I gotta get into the fray. 
> 
> It seems like all the hyperbole about 1 db making much difference is
> easily settled.  (It's amazing to me, how many people want to strain 
at
> gnats, while swallowing elephants (or something like that)).  
> 
> Those of you that are concerned enough with the truth of the matter, 
proof the question for yourself, rather convincingly.  You can build a
> -1 db power attenuator which is shunted by a toggle switch.  
> 
> Operate it over a period of time during your QSO's with and without 
the
> attenuator inserted between your exciter and your amplifier, or 
antenna
> direct (if no amplifier).  You will be amazed how little effect it 
will
> have on your "contacts", at the weak signal or strong signal ends, of
> the spectrum.
> 
> Pi-attenuator formulas calculate 2- 828 ohm and one 5.7 ohm,  will 
give
> you -1 db of loss.  With CW and SSB duty cycles, 5 watt carbons should
> tolerate up to 100 watts drive for short term tests..  
> 
> Select values you can find as close as possible to this.  I took some
> old carbon 5 watters that were near and filed them to the correct
> values.  One six ohm and 2- 828 ohm resistor will give you -1.05 db,
> close enough.  An SPST switch, 2 UHF connectors and a small box,
> complete the package.  
> 
> If you build it with short leads inside, in the smallest box that will
> hold it, it should be good to at least 30 Mhz without a lot of stray
> reactance.  Make sure you use a decent DVM for the resistor checks.  
The
> instrument you use will determine your tolerances and thus accuracy, 
of
> your tests.
> 
> Try each QSO with and without the attenuator inline.  It's real hard
> under any circumstances to justify worrying about the difference.  
> 
> For me any DX station that is that close to the noise, I don't want to
> bother with.  Most of us don't enjoy S/N ratios much less that 6 to 10
> db.  I guess I don't want to struggle that much for my QSO's.  I'm not
> sure that's what I would call a legitimate contact anyway.
> 
> OK ya'll, the floor is yours.  Here is a way for possible resolution 
of
> the question.  Get out you soldering irons...  Let's hear the results 
of
> your tests.
> 73,
> Ray LaRue, W4BYG 
> A1-Op, BPL, PSA, ARRL life, past SCM Georgia
> List Admin: aea-tempo, areu, azden, elmers, fieldday
homebrew,
>             kachina, morrow, test-equipment, tvi-rfi-emi @qth.net
> VP Engineering, Dominion Video Satellite, Inc. (SkyAngel DBS)
> 



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