[Elecraft] K3: Is it wrong?

[N2TK]

 I believe one aspect of the signal reports depends on the operating
situation. As one example, when I am down at KP2 and just rag chewing  I
will give accurate signal reports based on how the sending station sounds to
me. When the pileup grows and there are several calling I switch to a
somewhat "contest" style mode. Anyone I can copy on their first call I give
a 59 (599). If the calling station is weak, I will give a lower report.
When "running" I don't look at the  s-meter.
When in a contest I will typically give all 59 (599) reports. This helps
speed up the process for both persons. To me getting the call correct and
the rest of the report such as power, state, country, serial number are more
important than the signal report. In fact in some contests the signal report
is optional. During a contest, the signal report is almost irrelevant. Bu
the way, this way of operating started long before logging programs. I would
venture a guess to say it started with the first contests and DXpeditions.

When the signal report is needed (wanted), what is important is copying
exactly what is sent, whether a 22, 51 (519) or 59 (599). You can get into a
debate what each number is supposed to represent signal wise. But I think it
is more easily defined to copy exactly what is sent, regardless of the
actual signal strength numbers. Then you have a good QSO. 

Signal reports are only arbitrary with lots of variables. Your actual
s-meter reading is dependent on a ton of variables. To me it is more
important how "loud" and "clear" the calling station sounds - my opinion. If
the station isn't loud and only has a signal strength of s7, should I turn
on a preamp so he(she) is now s9 and I can give him a 599? I don't think so.
By the way I am amazed how often I am asked that when I give a signal report
- "is your preamp on?". Nice new feature of the K3 is you can set the
s-meter so it doesn't change with the preamp on or off. 

Just thought of something funny (at least to me). Maybe 25 years or more ago
I would have the receiver on in the background while working in my office (I
still do). I used to get a kick out of listening to a net on 20M that ran
DX. Some of these calling had no clue when the DX was listening and
transmitting. If it wasn't for the person running the net they would have
never "worked" the DX. I had to chuckle at the "22, 22, twenty-two, bang
bang, 22, 22 over " reports. Then they would wait for the net host to let
them know if they were in the log. I guess to them 22 meant please put me in
your log even though I can't copy you.

All just opinions.

73,
N2TK, Tony

PS: Pse keep giving me those 599 reports.


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Geoffrey
Mackenzie-Kennedy
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:24 AM
To: Elecraft Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Is it wrong?

Tom,

IMO it is much more useful to give and receive honest signal reports. It is
a bit sad to hear somebody give out a 599 report and then ask for
confirmation of the other person's callsign, a repeat of the name and report
sent and QTH etc etc. This habit of giving out 599 or 59 reports regardless
of the actual signal strength started at about the time logging programs
appeared on the scene if I remember correctly. I would much rather receive
an honest signal strength report which would give me some idea as to how
well my antenna in use is working (or not).

The noise level here can be very low indeed on 40m, and giving out a 5 x 1
or 5 x 2 report on SSB has not resulted in any complaint yet.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD


Tom WA6SUS wrote on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 1:25 AM

> Is it wrong to give 5x2 signal reports? I was just listening to a 40 meter
> net last night and pretty much heard everyone. I would say that many of 
> the
> signals were fully copyable but also clearly weak. (5x2 or 5x1 even) Also
> noted that I heard more people than many others in the net. I was using a
> little Outbacker on my truck tailgate. I didn't check in as it was clear
> that not many would have heard me anyways. I am so impressed with this
> radio. It is obvious to me that the K3 receiver is excetional.



_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft    

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com