[Elecraft] How loud it is!

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I happen to have a calibrated audio level meter handy, so I measured the
audio output at the headphone transducer of my K2 at full volume (AGC
On).

The audio level being produced through by my LabTec 820 phones  was 106
dB on an S-8 carrier. Maximum audio available from the sidetone was 102
dB. 

So what does that mean? 

Well, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits
worker exposure to 90 dB. The US Department of Defense limits their
personnel to 84 dB. OSHA literature lists anything over 100 dB as "Avoid
Like the Plague" and anything over 95 dB as "Dangerous" and anything
over 85 dB as "Ear Protection Required". 

There's no doubt that K2's vary, but mine is clearly loud enough to
damage hearing!

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289