[Premium-Rx] On the Relativity Theory Of Signal Strength Meters

[Geoffrey Bunza]

The discussion on signal strength meters has been very interesting, so I
thought I'd add a few observations.
There are, of course, independent instruments calibrated to measure
signal strength, usually qualified by distance to antenna sources,
measurement probe/coil/antenna, dbm, etc. I usually have considered
these to be the "signal strength meters" of reference-- those by which
others are judged. It is rare, although they can exist, that the signal
strength meters built into receivers-- premium or not-- warrant any real
measurement comparison to such calibrated units. Rather, the SS meters
in radios take an amplified, filtered, and shaped signal, derived from
the signal received at the antenna, and give the operator a "sense" of
the Relative Signal Strength -- that is relative to the other signals
which that antenna/tuner/front-end/filter/meter combination can detect.
They rarely measure the untouched antenna signal. And is very useful for
"peaking" the system-wide signal path for best reception of all received
signals. Such a meter may be calibrated, but often is not, and merely
set up to give widest dynamic range of the meter in view (to take best
advantage of whatever meter characteristics are used).

In other words, your mileage may vary... and probably will.

Best Regards,
Geoff

-- 
Geoffrey J. Bunza
VP Engineering and Operations
Wilsonville,  OR