[1000mp] ARRL Lab transmit IMD test-result reporting

[Jeffrey Pawlan]

Open letter and response to Ed Hare's reply to my posting:

Dear Ed,

  Thank you for your comprehensive and thoughtful reply to my posting. I do
agree that the number of tests run and details presented has grown. I appreciate
your position regarding the presentation of IMD data, as you stated you want to
do it the same way it has always been done so it can be easily compared to a
review from 17 years ago. I respectfully disagree with this position and
maintain my position that I would not present IMD relative to PEP output.
Average power and PEP are usually not the same for SSB and regarding the part 97
rules, I may have been referring to IMD requirements meant for power amplifiers.
Since today's rigs always contain power amplifiers, unlike some vintage
equipment that were really low power exciters, I thought that IMD was applicable
to them. If it does not in a strictly legal interpretation, then you might see
my point that they should apply as it is OUR bands that are filling up with
garbage signals since these products are almost always in-band. Similarly, phase
noise and spurs are going to be amplified by the rig's power amplifier and
certainly by an external amplifier and also clog OUR bands with noise. This
problem has been noticed by many hams who happen to live within a mile radius of
another ham. The effect on receiver performance is not to be ignored either.
   As you have noticed on your own, the summary or synopsis of the rig in the
review is always something between "great buy for the 2nd radio" to "fantastic
new rig well worth its $4000 pricetag."  I only remember seeing one time in 25
years a very watered down and understated version of "this is garbage  - don't
waste your time or money".
   I think the ARRL should hold out for higher standards than barely meeting
Part 97 rules. I think the ARRL should be our voice and the leader to tell the
manufacturers in definite and certain terms that we will not tolerate and spend
our money on equipment that is small and pretty or has glowing color display
panels and 78 knobs, but is otherwise technically poor in its design and
mediocre at best in performance.

73,

Jeffrey Pawlan, WA6KBL