[Elecraft] Amp Thoughts: 1000 watts or 1500 watts?

[Bill Johnson]

Ron, from my Signal Corps training, we operated under the fact that 10db improvement was needed to experience a doubling of perceived sound.  Since our signals are rf radiated sound, the same would apply. 

73,
Bill
K9YEQ



-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 5:01 PM
To: 'Richard Thorne' <rthorne at rthorne.net>; 'Elecraft Reflector' <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Amp Thoughts: 1000 watts or 1500 watts?

2 dB might make a difference if you are only interested in having your call sign dug out of the noise for a contest or DXCC contact.

Way back the early books from the 1930's that I read and the OT commercial operators from that era I knew said that under typical conditions found on the air, 6 dB was about the minimum change to hear a real difference in the signal while exchanging messages or other extended information. Those stations would not try a direct contact if the signals were "in the mud"
opting instead for trying again at different time or getting a relay.

In commercial operations we did not use the Ham RST system, but rather QSA 1 through 5. 1 was a barely detected signal in the mud. 5 was a loud signal with perfect copy. I confess to doing about the same with Ham signals, choosing between at most five levels by ear for my report without reference to an S-meter.  

Personally, I've never gotten very excited about anything less than a 10 dB improvement, but the only DX I work are those calling me - usually for a rag chew - and I don't contest. 

And, for me, Ken's observation is quite right. If I get the bug to drop my Inverted L, rub some RF grease on the wire, neaten things up in general and restring it, I do think I am getting out better and stations seem to come back more quickly. Expectations are everything!

73, Ron AC7AC





-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ken K6MR
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 2:27 PM
To: Richard Thorne; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Amp Thoughts: 1000 watts or 1500 watts?

I'm running my two KPAs combined. Is there a difference? That's one of those questions that is tough to answer. I worked lots of people with 500W. I work lots of people with 1000+ W.  I don't chase DXCC but things seem to work better on 160.


I do feel louder. I think it was N6TR that said (probably mis-quoted here) "If you feel loud you are loud".


Ken K6MR


________________________________
From: Elecraft <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Richard Thorne <rthorne at rthorne.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:31 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Amp Thoughts: 1000 watts or 1500 watts?

I have a pair of KPA-500's for an SO2R setup.  Seamless.

I've been running the numbers on the advantage of going to 1000 or 1500 watts.

500 watts to 1000 watts - 3.01 db gain
500 watts to 1500 watts - 4.77 db gain

Will the increase from 1000 to 1500 watts or a 1.76 db increase in gain, make a difference? I'm sure it would in some circumstances, but how often?

I'm just starting on my quest to increase my dxcc totals on 80 and 160, so maybe that 1.76 db would be the difference between a having a qso or not having a qso.

What are the thoughts of the serious low band guys?

Thanks

Rich - N5ZC
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