[Elecraft] K3 S Meter behavior

[ussv dharma]

Aloha Peoples"

I rarely ever give the other station an s meter reading, Instead I usually describe how I am receiving him.  S meter readings dont seem to tell me how well I am understanding what is being said by the other station.

Grandmaw Susan
If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm  AFA9SM                         USSV DHARMA 


--- On Thu, 7/15/10, Richard Hill <rehill at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> From: Richard Hill <rehill at ix.netcom.com>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 S Meter behavior
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 3:58 AM
> I don't really understand, but would
> be interested in more discussion on 
> this.  I think I understand that the apparent power of
> a signal to your 
> ears/brain may vary even though the actual received power
> is the same.
> 
> Commercials on TV seems much louder than the shows these
> days, but I'm 
> hearing that the actual power stays the same.
> 
> We can alter the TX or RX equalization in the K3, I think
> that means we 
> can use a standard 100 watts, but change the apparent
> "loudness" we hear 
> by focusing the power in the audio bands that are best
> heard or for the 
> best intelligibility, and that varies according to age,
> long proximity 
> to artillery/machines, and other factors.  The Heil
> 4/5 mics give the 
> same effect.
> 
> That seems to mean that a "standard" S7 signal could sound
> like 
> something else.  I wonder how meaningful an S meter
> reading is.  It 
> seems that it is more important to tell the other op how
> well you are 
> receiving their message (as apposed to their signal
> strength) and that 
> is the result of more than the meter reading.
> 
> Rich
> NU6T
> 
> On 7/15/2010 5:49 AM, Robert Mitilieri - N9EF wrote:
> > Thanks all for your comments. It's nice to get so much
> feedback so fast!
> >
> > While I'm not very concerned about this, I do like to
> use my S meter to give the Strength report and believe that
> an S7 signal should read S7 even if the RF gain is turned
> down a bit (just for info, I set the S meter to Absolute and
> have PRE and ATT off, don't have a Sub rcvr installed). I've
> heard many  perfectly readable signals that sounded
> like they were S9 but were, to my surprise, an S3 or S5.
> Except for contests I like to send and receive accurate
> strength reports.
> >
> > Last night I ordered an XG2 and will align RF gain and
> the S meter when it arrives. I'll post again once I've
> completed the alignment. Till then I'll  be on the air
> enjoying my awesome K3!
> >
> >
> > On Jul 15, 2010, at 1:03 AM, The Smiths wrote:
> >    
> >> Check your RF gain calibration using the Elecraft
> Utility, check your S meter calibration. Make sure that you
> don't have something else like the Pre-amp on causing an
> error in the reading.  Make sure that you don't have
> the Sub receiver on and the Sub AF audio up, or RF up
> causing it to look like it's getting stronger.  r.
> >>
> >>      
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> >
> >    
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>