Adding a linear amplifier! How Much Will It Increase My Signal?

Will adding a linear amplifier to my ham station make my signal "louder"?
How is this related to the S meter reading on the other guys radio?

In order to understand how much difference and amplifier (linear), as used in amateur radio, would make if added to your transmitter on the air,
we have to understand what a "dB" is and how they change S meter readings.
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The decibel (dB)

A dB is unit used to measure the power of a signal, such as an electrical signal or sound, relative to some reference level.
An increase of ten decibels in the power of a signal is equivalent to increasing its power by a factor of ten.

As a measure of sound intensity, a zero-decibel (0 dB), reference is considered to be the lowest level audible to the human ear; the speaking voice of most people ranges from 45 to 75 decibels.

dB....A term representing the ratio of two quantities.

For our purposes of this article, one ratio being the sound level that is measured and the other ratio being a reference sound level corresponding approximately to the faintest sounds detectable by the human ear. The greater the sound level measured in dB, the louder is the sound.

Generally, a change of 2dB is just perceptible, 5dB is clearly heard and audible, and 10dB "appears" twice as loud. All based on good hearing of the human ear.
The reverse is also true with the above numbers. A 10dB change lower in power would be 1/2 as "loud" as it was before the change was made. But....it is difficult for the human ear to tell just how loud "twice as loud" is...you do notice a change, but just how much change....how can your ears "measure" that change...it is a relative value based on your hearing.

The difference between running a kilowatt (1000 watts) and running 100 watts is 10 dB). That would "sound" 2 times louder if you could measure it accurately. Said another way in reverse, the difference between running 100 watts and a kilowatt is also 10dB.

So you might be thinking, "Well if that is true, then if I run a 500 watt linear instead of a killowatt, then this would make a 5dB change in my signal. Would'nt that make my signal sound almost 2 times louder?" The simple and mathematical answer is NO.

Remember, a 5dB change in power is audible and detectable by most ears, but it is not "mathematically" 2 times louder.

To use: Place your cursor into the first "Before" window.
Highlight the entire number and enter your power level.
Do the same with the next "After" window. Then click the "Calculate" button.
Read the result in the "dB" window.
Notes: It is accepted that most S meters require "about" 6 dB change
to equal 1 S unit difference. This may change from S meter to S meter and is not a standard but a commonly used value for reference purposes.

Example:
You are wanting to add a 500 watt linear to your 100 watt radio.
How much "dB" difference will that make? Place 100 in the first "Before" window. Then place 500 in the second window...click Calculate = 6.98070 dB difference,
(almost 7dB), or a little over 1 S unit.

The "QRP" Example:
Place 5 in the upper Before window, then place 500 in the lower After window. Click "Calculate' for your answer! 20 dB.....now thats a huge increase from your tiny signal and when using about 6dB per S unit on the other guy's S meter...thats about 3 S units on his S meter plus "some pocket change left over"!

Now let's go "illegal" for a moment with another example!
Let us assume that your running a kilowatt all the time and still not getting the signal reports that you want.
You decide to shell out those really big bucks for a 5 kilowatt linear added to your 100 watt radio! By using the calculator above, you will find that the change in db "power" will be only 6.98 dB difference.....now was all that money worth getting slammed by the FCC for just another 1 S unit on the other guy who may not have a calibrated S meter....maybe for you, but not for me!

In many cases, with poor band conditions, high noise levels and heavy interference, etc, and if your signal is just above the noise level at say S 3 as an example, then by adding another 10 db to what you are already using (100 watts) you would gain just a little over 1 1/2 S units and be "heard" (seen on the S meter), at about S4 to 5 or said another way.....a little above the noise level if all the variables involved did not change. Your signal will be stronger on the S meter but you may or may not be "heard" better than before! The signal level above the noise level is what counts. If your signal is still down in the other guy's noise level, you still can't be heard.

Good "copy" of your signal depends on the communications quality (clarity of your voice audio) and whether or not it punches through the noise and overrides it.

Your goal is to strike a happy medium between intelligibility and signal strength using only the amount of power needed to establish the communications as per FCC rules. All that is required by the station on the other end is to be able to understand you clearly. If you have to continually repeat your call sign...you are not being clearly understood! Ham radio is NOT intended to be broadcast band FM quality! If the band is "dead", then no amount of power, legal or not will help you!

Depending on the "calibration" of the S meter many times a station's audio (voice) can be heard well and 100% understandable even though he is "burried" in the noise and the S meter is reading S1 to S3 or not moving at all. The important "parts" of his voice, that part needed for communications, is still getting through. It all depends on the intelligibility of his particular voice and the audio circuits of his transmitter.

All of this article is assuming that you have a "perfect" antenna system with no losses and mother nature is at her finest with excellent band conditions! It also assumes that the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) of the station on the other end is turned OFF. Leaving the AGC on, in most receivers, will tend to make all audio sound at the same level...noise and all.

Remember that you have changed nothing in your antenna system. So you can not add any gain it may have...your strictly changing one thing....the power output of your station.

I hope this has helped you in some way to understand the relationship between adding more power to your station or...NOT...You have to compare the difference in dB "gain" and how it is "heard" on the other station vs the expense of more power and hope for the best on the other end of your signal on the air! Adding an additional amount of power to your signal, (within your license privileges), may help you.......or not........mother nature and your audio quality if using voice modulation will decide!