[Elecraft] K3: Is it wrong?

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

David Yarnes wrote on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:42 PM

> A readability "1" report clearly states that you are "unreadable". 
> Accordingly, I would assume that a strength "1" report is intended to 
> convey that signal strength is so low as to preclude any significant 
> degree of readability.  In other words, real communications only occurs at 
> the "2" level for both reports.

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I believe that you are right if the signal strength report is not given in 
terms of 'S' Units. On the other hand, assuming 6db per S unit and S9 being 
50 uV input across 50 ohms, a S1 signal can usually be perfectly readable in 
the absence of stronger QRM or QRN even on 40m. The use of 'S' units to 
report received signal strength becomes of questionable value IMO in those 
cases where good or perfect copy of a signal several db below a S1 noise 
level is possible by using the filter between the ears.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD