[Elecraft] S-meter / NB

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Evert PA2KW asked: 
When I connect my K2 to a dummy load, the S-meter will lit up with one 
LED but *only* on USB mode when in receive.
The SSBA is set to 2
I  did go through the S-meter alignment procedure but it didn't help. Any
suggestions what this could be?


Second
How good is the Elecraft Noise-Blanker unit?
I'm living in an area with quite a lot of motor QRN (Ventilation boxes). The
NB isn't doing anything with that. I also have a Drake TR7 (great radio) and
the NB is reducing the rattle 
with more then 30 dB!
How they did it, I dont know but my Ten-Tec Paragon can't beat the TR7 
NB as well.

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1 - My K2 (S/N 1289) has always done that too. I finally decided it's simply
a reminder to "never trust any S-meter". Actually it's associated with the
mixing scheme somehow. You're looking at it on the a lower band. Go to the
upper bands (14 MHz and up) and the Lower sideband will make the S-meter
read one bar higher. 

2 - The NB is excellent on high repetitive impulse noise like cheap lamp
dimmers. Sounds like it ought to be catching that motor QRN assuming it's
sparking brushes causing the trouble.

Try turning your preamp on. I've found that even in "low threshold" the
noise blanker doesn't have enough signal to work with at times. Adding the
preamp makes the noise disappear!

Ron AC7AC