[Towertalk] dB

[Barry Kirkwood]

Classical psychophysics has existed as a scientific discipline since the
1830s.
In classical psychophysical terms, a dB is the difference in level that an
"average" observer can detect on 50% of occasions.
Hence it follows by definition that a dB difference will be detected as
often as not.
This refers to a single set of observations.
It follows that over a long series of trials, one dB will give significant
advantage.
It also follows that an accumulation of minor improvements or defects each
adding to but a fraction of a dB will make a significant difference over
time.
Such small differences will become highly significant over long periods of
DX hunting, or in massed observations such as contesting.
Under such conditions 1.7dB difference between two systems will result in a
very significant observed difference in the performance of the two systems,
other things being equal.
73

end
Barry Kirkwood PhD ZL1DD
Signal Hill Homestay
66 Cory Road
Palm Beach
Waiheke Island 1240
NEW ZEALAND
www.waiheke.co.nz/signal.htm