01/10/2026
Why use dBm for power measurements when watts are often more convenient?
For many radio surveyors, watts are the more familiar and practical unit when checking transmitter power. Power limits and rated output values for marine radio equipment are usually specified in watts. So if a radio is rated at 25 W, seeing the measured result directly in watts makes comparison with the specification straightforward, with no conversion needed.
The reason dBm is still useful is that it has a practical role in RF measurements. Watts express power on a linear scale. dBm expresses an absolute power level on a logarithmic scale, referenced to 1 mW. It is the same quantity in a different form: 1 W equals 30 dBm, and 25 W is approximately 44 dBm.
dBm is especially convenient when you look at forward and reflected power together. In a healthy antenna system, reflected power is typically 100 to 1,000 times lower than forward power. In watts, that means values of very different magnitude, for example 25 W and 0.025 W. In dBm, the same values are 44 dBm and 14 dBm, and the difference between them is simply 20 to 30 dB (a power ratio of 100 is 20 dB, and a ratio of 1,000 is 30 dB).
But that does not mean dBm is always the most convenient way to present a result. That is why we make both units available:
πΈ On the MRTS-7M, the power display can be switched between watts and dBm.
πΈ On our Pro-series testers, both units are displayed on the screen at the same time (see the image).
πΈ In GMDSS Multi Software, which works with testers of different generations, power values are shown in both watts and dBm, on screen and in reports.
π And in the next software version, we are adding a W β dBm converter, so you can quickly convert between the two whenever needed.
Watts are handy for checking a result against the specification, dBm for RF analysis. Use whichever fits your task. β‘