[Elecraft] When S-Meters are Useful (WAS: When do you use fastAGC?)

[Karl Larsen]

Darwin, Keith wrote:
> Hmm, using the full bar graph to show S1 to S9?  Not a bad idea.  I may
> do that once I get the 41 step attenuator. 
>
> All this AGC talk makes me think TenTec's hang AGC should have been the
> ideal.  In effect it would turn the RF Gain down when a big signal came
> in and keep it down until the signal went away, then would turn it back
> up rather quickly.
    Keith I think the problem with hang AGC is in contests. The winning 
setup there is one where you attenuate the strong station and still hear 
the weak guy nearby. This you can do with no AGC and a deft hand on the 
RF gain. If your filter is the right type then you can hear the weak ones.
>   But for some reason it just never caught on.  Maybe
> because it was implemented in rigs with audio derived AGC?
>
> Last night I tried listening with Fast AGC on my 830s but didn't like
> the way the QRN came up between each CW element.  But, if I left it on
> fast then backed the RF gain down, the whole rig sounded better.
    To make it sound perfect try no AGC and turn up the audio to Max and 
ride the RF gain.
>   I just
> may begin using fast AGC and reduced RF gain for all my operating.
>
> - Keith KD1E -
> - K2 5411 -
>
>   
72 73 Karl K5DI

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick Dettinger
> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:00 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] When S-Meters are Useful (WAS: When do you use
> fastAGC?)
>
>
>
> Last year, I posted my intent to recalibrate my K2  S meter to give one
> bar per S unit.  I used my XG-1 50 microvolt output to set the S meter
> reading to light 9 bars, with the preamp off.  Of course, I can't use
> the calibration scale for signal strength, but I can use the power out
> scale, up to S9, to ret a reading.  I like this method of using the S
> meter.  I don't mind losing  the db over 9 readings.  Some meters use up
> to half of the scale on this with S9 being near the middle.  I think
> that is a waste.  Not sure what this does to linearity, but it seems to
> cover the range nicely.
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