I would argue over the simplification that below 1 db is "nothing."
If one cleans up his system then it is possible that those items
that lose less than a db could add up to something "meaningfull".
But DXrs say a little db is a lot and usually they are not casual operators.
A single increase in gain of a db of an antenna can infact supply more gain
at a lower
TOA where it enables the operator to make a contact where others fail!
On my antenna I am able to drive down the TOA by more than 3 degrees
where for comparison purposes it may only have the gain oif a normal four
element
yagi that has a TOA of 14 degrees. So I consider the statement that 1db is
insignificant
a bit over the top when one is working with antennas and what one can
achieve what others can't.
Regards
Art



"Zombie Wolf" wrote in message
...
Of course Mr. Clark, as usual, is "right on the money" in saying that 1db
is
nothing. To get a 1 unit s-meter difference on the average receiver, it
actually takes 6 decibels more signal, or 4 times the power, from the
transmitter, to produce that signal increase.

Double the transmitter power (3 db) , and you get a half an s-unit
increase.

In many cases, it is more advantageous to raise the antenna 10 feet or
more,
than it is to increase transmitter power, and it will often result in much
more signal in the receiver, since it gets the transmitter antenna "up in
the clear", where losses to the ground and surrounding obstructions drop
off..


"Richard Clark" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 03:30:07 GMT, ml wrote:
what would happen if i build say i'd have to stay physically small , so
say a 1/4wave verticle on 10m and then made that antenna
supercondutive?

Hi OM,

As far as performance? Absolutely no difference to it even if it were
elevated 1000°F above that to compare.

- Well maybe someone with enough sophisticated equipment might notice
a dB difference - then they would whack the side of the gear to clear
that up - nope, no difference....

You need to come to terms with just how imperceptible 1 dB is (zilch,
in technical terms), and how much power it takes (about 12%, just more
$ to burn) to make that imperceptible difference. The dollar has lost
30% of its value in the world market in the last few years - have you
noticed? This may not be one way to appreciate 1dB, but it does
reveal how relative changes go unfelt.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC