[Elecraft] SSB - Fooie!

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/9/02 2:50:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
rondec@easystreet.com writes:

> The advantage of one mode over another
>  is basically a difference in bandwidths, assuming no interference.

That's most of the difference. If we take SSB as needing 2500 Hz and CW as 
needing 250 Hz, a lot of the improvement is obvious (less N means better S/N)

What's not so obvious is the fact that in many cases CW needs a lower S/N to 
be readable. All you need to determine is whether the tone is there or not. 
There are times when you can hear a voice signal, but can't make out what is 
being said. 

Also, CW has the advantage of being "fully voiced". IOW, the ratio of peak to 
average power is much higher. 

None of this means SSB or even AM is useless for QRP work. How many times 
have we gotten 599 plus reports for QRP CW? Switching to SSB under those 
conditions would have yielded reports of 579 or better.

73 de Jim, N2EY