[Elecraft] S meter question

[Don Wilhelm]

Ken,

I usully use the XG1 and check the S-meter with the preamp off on 40
meters - if the AGC Threshold is set for optimum receiver performance, and
CAL S Hi and Lo are set the S-meter usually comes right in at S-9 with the
preamp off.

Yes, the manual is non-committal on this point, so I take that as an
indication that either way may be right, the S-meter is not an absolute
device, the point for S-9 varies all over the place from one receiver
manufacturer to another anyway, so other than being useful as a relative
measurement, I personally don't worry about the absolute calibration, but I
set it as close as possible for other's K2s that I work on.  In other words,
do what suits you best.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I found the XG2 manual and the K2 manual a bit ambiguous on the
> issue of weather to do CAL S-Lo and S-Hi with the preamp on
> or off.
>
> I guess that it's a bit of YMMV but I've found if I set the S meter
> with the preamp on, then I get no background signal above 20m.
>
> OTOH, If I do it with the preamp off, then the S meter seems too
> "hot" below 30m. I suppose that is a hint not to run the preamp
> below 30m?
>
> Help?
>
>