[Elecraft] Beyond the K2, Part 1 of 3

[Julian (G4ILO)]

Absolutely right. I can't see why the fuss about S-meters because the S 
numbers mean absolutely nothing. And of course even on the same radio you 
get a different reading depending on whether you have the preamp off, the 
attenuator switched in etc. I never even bother to look at the S meter. If 
someone is hard to copy, they're S3, if they are fully copyiable they're 
S5, if they are comfortable copy they are S9 and if they are painfully loud 
they are 20 over.

But of course this ignores the fact that to many hams radios are "toys", 
and a radio with a more generous S-meter is presumably superior, as is one 
with more features, regardless of performance.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP, K2 #392)
G4ILO's Shack: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo

Vic Rosenthal <vic@rakefet.com> wrote:

First of all, the K2 s-meter is just a little bit less sensitive than the 
one on my TS850. Hardly a big deal, and as you well know, S-meters vary all 
over the map.

Secondly, the one who should be embarassed is the guy who made a big deal 
about it! If he's old enough to be allowed to operate an Alpha 99 he should 
know that S-meters are only useful for relative comparisons and therefore 
it doesn't matter if one is a bit stingy and another generous.