[ARC5] dB Power and QRP according to HR magazine. [Was dB - Apples & Oranges]

[Christopher Bowne]

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....If my memory is correct the author of that article found the change in
power (i.e. dB) was greater than the figure most have quoted in this
thread, and well above 1 dB.  The article drew the conclusion that under
good conditions a 5 or 10 watt QRP transmitter may make effective DX
contacts - and that a 100W or 400W signal might be heard 'better' but
that QRP was still worth-while...

I can testify to the validity of the above conclusion.  I routinely work across the pond and down to the islands and South America on 40 CW with my little Elecraft K1 with 5 to 7 watts max to a hamstick clone whip mounted on the back of our Tacoma 4X4.  I have also on occasion worked to ZL and other Pacific locations with the same setup from down at Stonington Point where there is salt water all around except between 315 and 45 degrees of true North.  I don't often get many DX stations coming back to CQs,  but often will find that the CQs have lit up a Reversebeacon.net receiver somewhere over in EU.     I also have a lot of fun hunting and pouncing during DX contests, it sometimes might take a little work, but I usually can get a QSO if there are not a lot of other competing calling stations.   I have also many soild rag chew QSOs with stateside stations on 40 using QRP mobile.  The reported S/N ratio on most reversebeacon.net hits is usually
 not over 20 dB on 40.