[Elecraft] K3 S Meter behavior

[Edward R Cole]

Rich,

Usually, the s-meter samples the signal at the final IF so most of 
the IF filtering will reject signals off-frequency.  Since "normally" 
this is done before the detector stage, audio bandwidth 
characteristics (what the equalizers affect) are not involved.  But I 
must disclaim knowing anything, in particular, on how the K3 does it.

So you are correct that bandwidth can be a factor it usually is 
not.  But if there is a 1.5 kW station down the block that is 10-KHz 
off frequency, you will certainly hear him and see it on the 
s-meter.  Again, that is based on normal ham radios and not the 
K3.  Some of the reports of multi-station operations in field day 
indicate the superior performance of the K3.  If you do not hear a 
signal you should not see it on the s-meter.

73, Ed

-----------------------------

Message: 39
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:30:34 -0700
From: Richard Hill <rehill at ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 S Meter behavior
To: The Smiths <notforchat at hotmail.com>
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <4C406D0A.8050908 at ix.netcom.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Understood.  My poorly described point was that the signal strength as
reported by the s-meter may not provide a good description of the signal
strength you heard which may be influenced by the ?bandwidth? of the
signal passing through the meter.  Readability can be influenced by
factors other than by signal strength.

How wide is the band being read by the s-meter circuit, and can signal
strength be influenced by the power distribution within that s-meter
band width, in particular by varying the TX or RX equalizer?

Rich
NU6T



73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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