[Elecraft] How loud it is!

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

    OK the sidetone is easily reproduceable so here are the measurments
of #2748 with a sound level meter A weighting.  The speaker level varied
a lot due to room resonance.  I read one of the higher positions.

Sidetone level 255, AF gain max.

3' in front of a tilted back on its stand K2 at ear level.     74dba

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Mine under those conditions at 3 feet from the front of the K2 is 92 dBa
with the sidetone level at 255, "A" weighing. WWV tuned in in CW mode at
full volume is close to the same level. 

My K2 is sitting in front of a smooth wall, so there is substantial
reflection. The levels dropped off fairly smoothly with distance from
the K2.

Mike McCoy asked for  a reading "... at one foot above the speaker":
That's a whopping 102 dBa on mine. I was wearing my ear protectors. 

As for what is "safe", there are lots of different values based on
length and repetition of exposure, etc. Both OSHA and The National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health seem to agree that anything
over 85 dB is dangerous. 

I think the point is that some K2's can create a LOT of racket and
others don't for whatever reason. 

The question is, if mine can crack my eardrums, why are some others so
quiet?

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289