DL1DN - HF SSB QRPP QSO´s down to19mW

David DL1DN has send me a link for his very interesting video.

David made a video in which he reduces his SSB signal from 2.5 W to 19 mW, during a QSO
He reduces his power using an attenuator of 3 dB and 3 attenuators of 6 dB.

An attenuator of 3 dB reduces the power to 1/2.
An attenuator of 6 dB reduces the power to 1/4.

David starts with 2.5 watt (0 dB) and uses a homebrew multiband dipole at 1.9 m above the ground.

The next steps are:
Time          Attenuation         Pwr                Signal
0:15               0 dB                 2.5 W
1:30             -3 dB                 1.25 W             S6
1:42             -9 dB                 300 mW           S5
2:00            -15 dB                80 mW                         Video says:  -18 dB, but it is -15 dB.
2:14            -21 dB                19 mW             S4 or S3  

Please notice that every step of 6 dB is 1 S-point.
The receiving OM has an calibrated S-meter, which is excellent for this experiment.

The video shows what happens when the power is reduced.
David transmits but also receives through the attenuator.
Every time that David  reduces the power, also the signal of the received station is reduced, so you can hear for yourself what each step of 6 dB does.
As you can hear, listening though the attenuator is absolutely NO problem.

Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvpxyoacrec

Enjoy this very interesting video

For non German speakers:
Wahnsin  = madnes
Hintergrundpegel = back ground level