by KE4SKY on November 7,
SSB derives much of its benefit from all stations being horizontally polarized, having a lower noise floor and better antennas. All mode rigs are more expensive and not pocketable. MUCH less practical for walking around, more for a stationary camp set up.<
by WB2WIK November 7,
That part's not true. SSB derives all of its benefit from being a weak signal mode that uses linear detection that can make a very weak signal 100% solid copy. FM is a strong signal mode, and when a signal drops below about 12 dB quieting, it's impossible to copy at all...so right there, SSB has about a 12 dB communications advantage over narrowband FM, regardless of what antennas are used.<
Hmmm, For me, they are both right! in some respects, its just that they dont quite see it in the same way.
For me the difference between SSB and FM is that SSB has the lower noise floor, its as simple as that,
regardless of antenna used. However, MOST SSB users are Horizontally polorized (with better gained antennas), and MOST FM users are Vertical (co-linears), and Vertical FM users can ONLY enjoy distant contacts -DX- when there is a lift. period.
In my opinion, using SSB will (for the same power used as FM) in theory, Will get your signals further just because of the lower Signal to Noise ratio.
Why not listen to some of my weak SSB contacts swapping over to Horizontal FM and hear for yourself what difference it makes? or better still, why not try it yourself?
http://www.2e0gyo.co.uk/Radio_Amateur/hfm/index.htmI would love to hear about your Horizontal FM results.
Regards
Alan
2E0GYO