A comparison of FT8 decodes using different radios.
Abstract:
Results:
Test 1 – 7610 vs 7300 number of decodes per pass
7610 vs 7300
32 36
33 32
27 29
28 26
26 25
36 36
26 27
Comment: Sometimes one wins. Sometimes the other. Sometimes they tie. It’s a toss up.
Test 2 – SNR of same stations on each radio (callsign suffix shown)
7610 vs 7300
KV +6 +4
LXD -20 -20
ENN -21 -21
ON +17 +16
Comment: There is more compression with strong signals by the 7300 . Thus one would conclude there is slightly more dynamic range on the 7610.
Test 3 – Flex vs 7300 number of decodes per pass, congested band
Flex vs 7300
33 33
31 32
36 35
30 31
35 36
36 35
Comment: It’s a toss up.
Test 4 – Flex vs 7300 number of decodes per pass, dead band
Flex vs 7300
2 2
2 2
2 2
3 3
2 2
Comment: Identical
Test 5 – SNR of same stations on each radio
MRB -18 -19
JCN -11 -10
RW 0 +1
PCC -12 -12
Comment: Toss up.
Conclusion: No substantive difference in the number of decodes among the three radios tested. There are vast differences in features that may affect other modes or user experience but the difference is minimal as measured by the yardstick of FT8 decode counts.
Notes: It was found that the highest number of decodes was always with the rf gain as high as possible just short of the point of overload. Strong stations were always decoded but if the rf gain was reduced weak stations disappeared. It was also found that the best setting for AGC was FAST. Other settings, including the setting recommended in the WSJT-X User Guide of AGC OFF, reduced the number of decodes.
Caution
Regard with caution any count of 36. JTAlert was used as a counting tool and it only counts up to 36. There could have been more than 36 in a pass and the extras were not counted.
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