Ideal SSB shows 70-2700 Hz spectrum, but most contesters use 2.4 kHz or narrower filtering. Energy outside the passband creates IMD distortion that doesn't improve readability.

At 6+ kHz separation, distortion should be -40 dB down from passband signal - poor quality signals exceed 6 kHz width at -40 dB. Modern DSP transmitters typically use 150 Hz high-pass filtering to remove problematic low frequencies.

Question for the group: We're limited to about 3 kHz unlike broadcast's 16+ kHz, so is there justification for expensive wide-range microphones? Getting maximum energy in our 3 kHz window without harmonics outside the desired bandwidth seems more important than freq response beyond what we can use.

What spectral analysis tools are you using to verify clean transmission? SpectraPLUS or similar software lets you graphically see what various settings do to output.

Audio compression inherently introduces harmonic distortion - 3 kHz input creates harmonics at 6, 9 kHz that cause splatter. Well-designed compressors with proper filtering can help, but gentleness is key. Most operators would benefit from spectrum analysis before adding more processing.

Been using an RTL-SDR dongle with SDR# to monitor my signal during contests. Many stations have very clean signals from properly tuned transceivers and power supplies. The difference between clean and splattered signals is immediately obvious on the waterfall display.

New to HF and this is eye-opening. Rolling off bass and boosting higher tones gives perceived SSB power increase with little intelligibility loss. Is this why some operators sound so much stronger even at similar power levels? Should I be looking at EQ before compression?