[Elecraft] dB Changes, Loudness, and Signal to Noise Ratio

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

> On the other-other hand, even if 1 dB made the difference in only one
> contact in a thousand, that might be very important to a world-class
> contester.  At that level of competition, a 0.1% increase in contacts
> could be the difference between winning and losing.

What you suggest sounds good, but....

At a world class contest station it's not how loud we transmit that is
the maker/breaker. It's how well we receive.  If the guy on the other
end is running 100 watts to an antenna made of something metallic,
shame on us if we don't work them.

Working the QRP, basement noodle antenna crowd will make a difference.
Getting the other station's call letters the FIRST time, in spite of
pileups, noise, weak signal or whatever, ditto their exchange, will
improve rate and make a difference.

Who owns the last biggest tenth of a dB is a phallic symbol,
testosterone thing.

It's far easier to be loud. But RX is what wins contests.

73, Guy.