KA3DRR (Scot): 2013 ARRL International DX CW | RBN Data

Screenshot Credit Reverse Beacon Network (N6TV)

I'm looking at W6AB antenna system performance in terms of signal to noise ratio according to reverse beacon network (RBN) data. My understanding at the moment, as a neophyte technician, that the resultant decibel measurement is the product of a mathematical ratio. Additionally, mechanical devices generate noise, and I want a signal measurement that is greater than the sum of mechanical noise?

Consequently, the greater signal (decibel) above noise level means the likelihood of you hearing the station inside your cans increases proportional to effective radiated power at antenna feed point. I'm writing this more for my understanding because most of you probably got this during Electrical Engineering 101 in college.

N6TV Measurement
The club station measurement at N6TV's beacon at 00:15 hours on Friday night was 6 dB at beam heading of 315 degrees toward Asia. Then, almost 24 hours later, W6AB peaked at 11 dB on the same heading.

Screenshot Credit Reverse Beacon Network (W3LPL)

W3LPL Measurement
Our 15m measurement as heard at W3LPL's beacon on Saturday morning beaming 30 degrees polar path toward EU peaked at 27 dB at 1546 universal time coordinated (UTC). Subsequently, measured at 17 dB around 1730 UTC suggesting EU path is closing on 15 meters from the West Coast?

Screenshot Credit Reverse Beacon Network (DR1A)

DR1A Measurement
Potentially, W3LPL RBN beacon measurement is off the side of the 6 element tribander at the Satellite Amateur Radio Club while DR1A beacon reflects all of our forward gain. The club station peaked at 39 dB above noise at 1601 UTC then fell off by 9 dB in a matter of 20 minutes.

Variables 
An additional variable to look at in the RBN data is the number of times I shifted my transmit frequency in order to manage adjacent signals near my pass band. I was operating a stock Yaesu transceiver relying on its digital signal processor. I moved to the edges to accommodate stock features which are satisfactory for day-to-day operations. However, competitive signals oftentimes overloaded and desensitized the receiver front end resulting in moving to a less congested frequency.

Conclusion
In sum, RBN data suggests our signal strength beaming toward Japan and Europe, additionally; the data may further suggest both duration and intensity of an opening into major population centers. Potentially, RBN data may allow RadioSport to begin measuring relationships between geographical locations, signal to noise levels to target location, and duration of band opening at target location.

Lastly, I'll review my log and bump my rates against RBN measurements, to determine antenna system effectiveness and face value validity.

Contest on!