[TowerTalk] The difference that 1 db makes

[David Gilbert]

I did this analysis for CW signals several years ago, but it should 
still be valid.  I called it the "minimal discernible difference". It 
doesn't show how many QSOs an extra dB or two will give you, but it does 
give a fairly decent indication for the effect on copy.  The method I 
used to create the files is described as well.

http://www.ab7e.com/weak_signal/mdd.html

The Cliff Notes version is that my conclusion is that 1 dB can make a 
marginal difference, and 2 dB will make a noticeable one.  It would be 
fairly simple for someone to use that same methodology to generate 
similar files with a much larger number of callsigns, and anyone could 
then determine the effect of a dB or two on the percentage of copied 
callsigns.

I think it is also noteworthy to check out the effect of code speed on 
intelligibility in weak signal (relative to the noise level) situations.

73,
Dave   AB7E