[Elecraft] [K3] S-meter unresponsive

[John Harper]

I'm to the point of installing the 100w PA assembly but have been trying to resolve the s-meter issue...

Whether attached to an antenna & tuned to weak, strong or no signals or no antenna attached at all - the S meter reads the same: 1 LCD on and an additional LCD flickering with the default values.

A calibrated Gigatronics 2420M set at -73 dBm (which I believe is 50uV into 50 ohms) gives the same indication.

SMTR SC has no effect at all on the S meter reading.
SMTR OF raises the meter reading to 4 LCDs/1 flickering, but this reading then stays the same even when I turn the Gigatronics off.

So the S meter is not responding to any change in input levels - varying the Gigs output level confirms this.

Suggestions gratefully received! Thanks and 73,

John Harper AE5X