[Elecraft] K3 on-channel strong signal overload?

[Jim Brown]

On Mon, 4 May 2009 21:10:46 +0000 (UTC), kd4d at comcast.net wrote:

>Now, let's hope I managed to get this right.  :-)

Nothing wrong with your math. The likely error is in assuming that 
ANY S-meter is accurate at the extremes of its range. All the S-
meters I've seen compress both at the top and bottom of their range. 
As others have noted, the protection diodes will conduct to limit 
the input that the receiver sees to about a volt, even though those 
diodes may be seeing more. When those diodes conduct they will 
produce some distortion. That's the nature of diodes. 

Note also that the circuits driving the S-meter in the K3 can be set 
to correct for the gain added by the preamp and subtracted by the 
attenuator, or not. And, of course, you've got to calibrate the S-
meter with a voltage source of known accuracy. 

73,

Jim K9YC