[Elecraft] K3 S-Meter

[Don Wilhelm]

Drew,

The S-meter operates off the AGC voltage and cannot be controlled in the 
firmware.  The result is that you will "have to put up with it" Most all 
receivers have done the same thing in my 50+ years of hamming.

What I can say is is that if you reduce the RF Gain to eliminate the 
band noise level, and the S-meter now reads (for example) S-3, a signal 
that is now indicating S-9 should receive a proper report of S-6.

Actually, the S in he RST report is better given with respect to other 
signals on the band rather than as an absolute number.  Report the "S" 
in the RST report with your ears rather than what the S-meter is 
indicating.  For those who have operated older receivers, that is the 
way it is done.  If you look at the "S" report in the ARRL handbook, it 
will indicate that is a strength relative to other stations on the band 
rather than relying on a meter reading. DXpedition and contest contacts 
are always "599" just for expediency.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/6/2013 10:30 AM, drewko wrote:
> Don,
>
> I always seem to have my RF gain adjusted by ear to below where the
> s-meter will deflect on a particular signal. So I will most always
> have to readjust the gain to see an s-meter reading. The RF gain can
> be adjusted much lower than the signal's meter deflection point but
> still have an audible signal. A moderate strength signal can still be
> heard when the RF gain has been turned down to the point where the
> s-meter incicates s9+40 db.
>
> The more I think about it the less useful it seems to have the meter
> deflect upward with a lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find this
> action useful for tuning in a signal?
>
> I know that I would be fiddling around with the RF gain control a lot
> less if the s-meter display was not affected by the gain control. Why
> not make the s-meter "absolute mode", which is independent of the
> attenuation setting, also independent of the RF gain control? That
> seems more consistent and logical to me.
>
>