efficiency of SSB rig

varnish wrote:
> I've got an SSB, ATU etc, and the set works, and people hear me and I
> hear them. But is there any way to measure whether the whole set up is
> working at maximum efficiency?

No simple way, for certain.

With instruments, you can measure transmitter power available at the ATU
input, SWR on the line to the ATU, RF current at the base of your
antenna, and receiver sensitivity (measured at the receiver coax
connector). The tuner can be checked to determine how efficiently it
"tunes" various artificial loads.

The antenna, if conventional, is unlikely to present "efficiency" problems.

Often, the single most critical part of the system is the RF ground, and
unfortunately, testing that (i.e., actually measuring its performance)
is a real can of worms.

Two things to consider: 1) find a nearby boat with an SSB rig and make a
signal strength comparison with that boat while working a "distant"
station. If you and the neighbor boat sound about the same to the other
station, that may mean you are both ok, or both bad; and 2) try to get a
feel for the strengths of incoming stations you are working. If you
consistently produce weak signals when the station you are hearing is
strong, you might suspect a problem.

Good luck.

Chuck