[1000mp] S Meter linearity and rx sensitivity

[Ron Kenwood]

I am playing with my new Elecaft XG1 on my original MP. The 50 microvolt signal produces S9+one red bar.
The 1 microvolt signal is clearly discernable with no S meter reading. Is this typical for an MP?

I used the front panel attenuator to crank in 18 db of attenuation. Dropped the 50 microvolt signal to S3. That would make it less than 3 db per S unit if my shaky math is right. Again, is this typical for an MP?

I then switched to the 1 microvolt signal and again cranked in 18 db of attenuation. Signal is faint but definitely there. Does this represent reasonable sensitivity for an MP?

 Can I trust the attenuator levels?

Or am I trying to draw unwarranted conclusions from insufficient information?


Ron K.
W3ZV