[Elecraft] S-Meter Sensitivity

[k6se@juno.com]

Don, KD5NDB wrote:

"OK here are the numbers with the K2 calibrated per the manual and a S-9
indication

K2 #1    550uV
K2 #2    370uV
K2 #3    380uV
K2 #4    540uV

K2 #4

S+40   54000uV
S+20   5400uV
S9      540uV
S5      65uV
S1      .82uV "
==========
Assuming this is with the preamp on, the K2's S-meter is indeed stingy. 
Above S9, K2 #4 is quite accurate (as far as the 20 dB steps above S9
go).  Below S9, it is obviously not linear.

In the ARRL review on the K2, they said that on 14 MHz the K2's meter
would read S9 with only 19 uV with the preamp on and 115 uV with the
preamp off.  Apparently all K2s are not created equal.

My K2s meter seems to be close to the Collins standard of S9 = 100 uV

I know S-meters are only a relative thing, but it would be nice if all
manufacturers would try to adhere to a set standard.  Kenwood uses a neat
standard (or used to) where S9 = 100 uV and S1 = 2.5 uV, with each S
point equal to 4 dB.  Other manufacturers prefer to make the S-meter more
generous and use the 50 uV standard, apparently because some hams may be
naive enough to believe that the higher an S-meter reads, the better the
receiver.

Kudos to Elecraft for having an S-meter on the stingy side rather than
trying to dupe the ham public.

73, de Earl, K6SE
67 countries with K2 #2622 and counting.....

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