[Elecraft] S meter differences from K3 to P3

[Jim Brown]

On 10/13/2013 6:55 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> The P3 averages signals [you can set the sample size, 2 is the 
> minimum], and my P3 never shows the same reading as my S-Meter on CW 
> or SSB except when I'm doing RTTY or some other constant amplitude 
> mode, and sometimes even those aren't exactly on what I expect them to 
> be. 

Fred has given you excellent advice.  I'll expand on he averaging issue. 
I always set up my P3 for the maximum averaging (20, I think), because 
it is best at separating signals from noise. But most of us set the 
S-meter for peak reading. For this reason, there will always be a lot of 
difference between the peak value of the signal and the average (except 
for keydown modes like PSK, RTTY, JT65).

The P3 can, however, be set to read peaks, and both displays are useful, 
so I assign the toggle for the peak function to a soft key. Once you 
have done the calibration that Fred has described (see the manual), the 
peak mode of the P3 and the peak mode of the S-meter should agree.

73, Jim K9YC