[Elecraft] K3 S Meter behavior

[Don Wilhelm]

Robert,

That is just the way the S-meter response works - it is the same on many 
receivers - the S-meter will indicate higher when the RF Gain is reduced.

The K3 does have a "cure", and that is to set the S-meter to ABS 
(absolute) in the Configuration Menu (see the manual).  With that 
setting, the S-meter does not change with the PRE/ATT/RF Gain.

If you use the absolute S-meter setting, you may want to modify the 
S-meter calibration from that indicated in the manual.  In other words, 
adjust the S-meter to read S-9 with a 50 uV signal imput with the Preamp 
OFF rather than ON as the manual indicates.  The S-meter is a relative 
indication, and can be calibrated to give almost any reading you want 
with any given signal level.  Set it to your preference whether that be 
as the manual suggests or as you understand how an S-meter should 
respond - there are no "rules", but Elecraft has adhered to the Collins 
'standard' of S-9 equals a 50 uV signal level for its nominal (and 
default) settings.  The Elecraft XG2 is an excellent source of s 50 
uVsignal level.

73,
Don W3FPR

Robert Mitilieri - N9EF wrote:
> While I've seen many post regarding S meter calibration I have a question to which I haven't found an answer in the archives.
>
> Let's say I'm listening to a signal that's peaking at S7. I usually decrease the RF gain so that, with no signal, the  S meter reads about S5. This reduces the background noise. However when I do this on my K3, the signal that was peaking at S7 is now peaking at S9 +10db. Reducing the RF gain further shows the signal peaking near S9 +20db.  I am accustomed to having the signal still peak at S7 since the signal strength hasn't actually increased at all.
>
> I'm still getting used to the K3 (s/n 4411). Is there a configuration parameter that I may have set incorrectly?
>
>