[hpsdr] Penelope output S/N ratio ?

[John Petrich]

Phil,

Your comment on Penelope's output S/N ratio got me thinking.

In your post to Chris, under the "Pennywhistle completed at last" thread you 
made reference to Penelope's output S/N ratio.  What exactly do you mean 
"output S/N ratio?  In the CW mode I see a clean coherent signal with no 
noise pedestal down to at least -70 dBc.  On SSB, I'm guessing, that there 
is a residual broadband audio noise about -32 dBc or less with the 
microphone disconnected.  Maybe the S/N ratio that you are talking about is 
not readily measured using classical spectrum analysis methods?

In response to your post I added enough input attenuation to my PA such that 
Penelope is now delivering 300+ MW at the desired PA output level.  Prior to 
the addition of the attenuation, Penelope was putting out 76 MW for that 
same PA output.  Haven't really looked at the output spectrum yet.

A penny for your thoughts,
John Petrich, W7FU