To use a preamplifier or not (in a signal estimation) it seems to me it is equivalent as to speak: to use the antenna for RX or not, to use radio or to listen shout by a throat from mountain... I exaggerate. But our radio and its functions are created to help the operators. I sometimes switch off a preamplifier on TOP, sometimes I switch on the amplifier on my Beverages. If on GP I do not hear DX, during too time on BV with the amplifier I will be copy signa S9 that what signal S I should give to this station? More often my official report more conditional if I hear station more S6.
P.S. In ours QTH 160m still sleeps. Yesterday on 80m was audible V31MA (S3-4) which were heard by my signal unfortunately. 73! de Eugene RA0FF http://dx.bgtelecom.ru http://www.qsl.net/ra0ff/ Воскресенье, 25 августа 2013, 16:44 -07:00 от Bob Kupps <n...@yahoo.com>: >Well I applaud your making the effort at giving an "honest" report. It seems >to me that 599 is reported far too casually these days and I certainly attempt >to give "honest" reports even in a (non contest) pile up. Although R reports >are fairly easy - I give 3 if I'm struggling, 4 if I have to pay attention and >5 if it's easy. But S reports, especially on the low bands where we are often >using preamps, attenuators or both make an objective report a bit tougher. > >The other night I was chatting with my pal W6YA on 20. My 100 watts to a 5/5 >stack always gets a better report on his K3 than his 1500W to a 4 el gets on >my K3 until he finally said that he always uses his preamp on the high bands >because the K3 S meter is factory calibrated with the preamp on, and he like I >strive to give meaningful reports. > >Anyway, I would be interested in how other ops (who care) try to give >meaningful reports - objective vs subjective. Also my compliments to N4ZR and >the RBN guys who are providing a great service to the ham DX community in this >regard. > >73 Bob HS0ZIA > > >________________________________ > From: John Harden < jh...@bellsouth.net > >To: topband@contesting.com >Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 9:17 PM >Subject: Topband: 160 meter activity > > >160 is really picking up here..... > >I called CQ on 1824.5 this morning here in Atlanta at 1030 Z. VK3ZL came >back to me with a 599 report and I gave him an honest 579. The band has >been open for some time at this QTH. However, the RX antenna is the Hi-Z >4-8 PRO, 8 vertical array (with 4 antennas active at any time). No doubt >I hear signals others cannot hear. I do HIGHLY recommend it...... > >73, > >John, W4NU >_________________ >Topband Reflector >_________________ >Topband Reflector _________________ Topband Reflector