[Elecraft] S-Meter Calibration

Mon Feb 11 08:42:01 2002

In theory, I like the idea of calibrating the S-meter to show S-9 at 50 uV.
Unfortunately, very few rigs actually have done this.  (I have heard that
some rigs actually boost the S-meter sensitivity on higher frequencies,
presumably to make both operators feel better!)

However, note that the S-meter indication rises when the preamp is turned
on, and drops when the attenuator is turned on, so it is not truly measuring
the voltage at the antenna terminals, even when "calibrated" in this
fashion.

Incidentally, there is the widespread belief that one S-unit equals 6 db.  I
understand that this is now the exception rather than the rule, and most
S-meters now run 4 db or less per S-unit.

After all, the higher the S-meter reads, the better the receiver, right?  :>

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Hammond N�SS" <[email protected]>
To: "Dave Johnson" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 3:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 # 2448 problems

Dave, G4AON, wrote:
>The method in the manual is "OK", but you probably won't find many stations
>stronger than S9 by using it. If you haven't a calibrated signal generator,
>a comparison check with another transceiver may be useful.

Kinda depends upon what band you're on and the condx at that time of day.

On 10M and 15M I often see virtually no S-meter reading on my K2,  but I
don't see anything on my TS-950SD either.

Then, on 20M there will be some stations that'll knock EITHER S-meter up to
S9+20.

And finally, on 80M I seldom find ANY station that's LESS than S9+10...
often they're literally pegging the LEDs.

I use the preamp on 20M and above ONLY. And I also use the
Manual-prescribed calibration... since it's only used for 'relative' (or
comparative) signal readings anyway.

Tom  N0SS

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