Well, Mike, the difference between 2 watts and 4 watts is 3 dB or 1/2 of an "S" unit on most receivers. Over the years I've run a lot of rigs running from 50 milliwatts to 5 watts and worked a lot of stations. When I added more power I made a lot more contacts and they were more consistent.
That's the way it is with power. More power = stronger signal <G>. But many times, perhaps most of the time, a 3 dB or 1/2 S-unit increase, or even an S-unit or two more, won't be noticed. Now, I hate being sneaky with folks, but recognizing the foibles of us Humans, I suggest that if you want to do some A/B testing, don't tell the other station what you're doing. Just say you're making a little change and you'd like to know if the other station can hear the difference. Don't say what the change is, and most especially do NOT say you're reducing power. I bet most of the time you'll hear the other station say you sound "about the same" and don't be surprised if some stations tell you that your signal improved. It's probably a good idea to hedge about what you did if the other guy says your signal increased when you reduced power! What happens, of course, is that band QSB can totally mask what you're doing, helping or hindering you. For most people out there, less power = weaker signal, obviously! So just the statement that you are reducing power means the report must be lower, right? There are some exceptions to the rule: listen for other QRP operators, especially those using homebrew or kit-built gear. They tend to be a little less wrapped up in what they expect to hear, having been through all that already, although I've met a few QRP operators who avoid giving an RST until they learn what the other station is running because they don't want to give someone running 100 watts a lower signal strength report than they got running QRP! Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Hi group, I've been having a lot of fun with my KX1 out near the San Francisco Bay. I have worked coast-to-coast in the US and DX highlights include FO5 Tahiti and CM6 Cuba. A question on power output: what are your opinions on the value of 12V from an external battery? I.e., 4W vs. 2W? I have had some intermittent ATU problems with the KX1 when on external 12V, so I often need to revert to internal Li AA's. I am wondering what your opinions are on the need for 3dB gain on the KX1. I have tried to do some on-air A/B testing between internal and external power. The guys on the other end usually say "FB on 2W." But I have also gotten some "are you still there." Anyone else do such A/B testing on the air? Any conclusions? Thanks, Mike N9OHW _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
