Actually, 100 watts to 500 watts is about 7 dB.  But, anyway, it seems like 
we have set up a straw man argument here.  It isn't a choice between more 
antenna and more power--if you really want to run with the big guns, it is 
both.

For those who are concerned about interference, I'm with you.  I have a 
neighbor's house a mere 40 feet away from the shack, so probably even 100 
watts is risky, though they have never complained.  I've decided in such a 
densely populated neighborhood, running power levels above 100 watts just 
doesn't make sense.  In my old QTH out in the countryside, I wouldn't have 
thought twice about it.

73, de Lou K2LKK



At 03:01 PM 1/7/2009 +1100, you wrote:
>neither option is going to do you any good if conditions are shot to
>hell though.
>the thing is, there's less of a challenge working with a foot warmer as
>we use to call it on the old cb.
>there's nothing like working barefoot. whether it be 10 watts or 100
>watts depending on your license determination conditions.
>in the end, it's horses for courses. each to his own and all that.
>
>
>Shaun,
>vk2fese,
>
>
>"Cry 'havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war"
>
>
>web sites:
>http://www.myspace.com/blindmanshaunoliver
>http://blindman.homelinux.org/~blindman/
>skype: brailledude
>
>
>On 7/01/2009 1:23 PM, we were able to ascertain that Ron & Denise Miller
>pondered upon these thoughts, and proclaimed thus.:
> > Hi Richard,
> > Your right, you'd get about an s unit going from 100 to 500 watts. 
> Remember,
> > an s unit is supposed to be a 6 dB increase or decrease in signal strength.
> > Your change from 100 to 500 watts would give you about a 6 dB gain in 
> signal
> > strength.
> >
> > If you can do it, more antenna gain will trump lotsa watts every time.
> > Consider that an increase from 100 watts to 1,600 watts, more than our 
> legal
> > limit, yields a 12 dB increase in signal strength--2 s units. I can buy a
> > lot of antenna and support structure for the same price I would pay for a
> > kilowatt amplifier.
> >
> > 73
> >
> >
> > Ron Miller
> > N6MSA
> > Clearwater, Fl. U.S.A.
> > SKYPE arjay1
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > On Behalf Of Richard Fiorello
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 12:01 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: amps
> >
> > Hello;
> > Can't resist my two cents on the amp issue.  I would much prefer a 60 =
> > foot tower with a nice six element beam.  Unfortunately, it is much =
> > easier to buy an amp than erecting the tower.  If an amp isn't =
> > overdriven a signal isn't to wide.  As for tvi type interference, true =
> > an amp can aggravate that problem.  I found that going from 100 to 500 =
> > watts gives you about an extra s unit.
> > Richard
> >
> > __________ NOD32 3744 (20090106) Information __________
> >
> > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
> > http://www.eset.com
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>--
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>5:16 PM

Louis Kim Kline
A.R.S. K2LKK
Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5740