[R-390] S-Meter?

[Phil Atchley]

Barry etc.
Yes, I found that to be rather simplistic myself.  I've actually had some
relatively inexpensive receivers whose "S" meters were calibrated better
than some of the more expensive ones.  NOT all, but some such as some of the
mid range Hammarlund sets etc.  I guess that meters that "glow in the dark"
don't count as "S" meters but are only good for tuning for maximum signal
8^)

AND, not to beleaguer the point too much or venture too far OT (of R-390s),
I found their mention of using "SINPO" as indicating you're an "inferior
reporter" rather obnoxious.  I've been using it for nearly 50 years (over 45
anyway) AND I have had a lot of "blank report forms" that were printed by
the stations themselves sent to me that used SINPO rather than SIO.  FAR
more in fact than stations that used SIO.  AND my very "professional"
logging program (DXtreme Reception Log 2002) uses SINPO and it won't let you
enter a logging without at least something in those 5 blocks (defaults to
all 5's).  Then, when you print a reception report in the appropriate
language of the station it inserts that SINPO into the report along with an
explanation.  But of course for it to mean anything you have to carefully
analyze it and say, "now was that interference actually QRM or QRN" etc and
rate the respective blocks (I & N) appropriately.  It actually gives MORE
information than SIO, especially if you also include a written description
of interference, fading etc.  And the only block that I let the "S" meter
(on an R-390 the carrier level meter) influence is the "S" (Signal) letter.

Ok, I'm off the soapbox BEFORE I get thrown off the list 8^(

73 de Phil, KO6BB
DX begins at the noise floor!
k06bb@elite.net
Merced, California
37.18N  120.29W  CM97sh


----- Original Message ----- 

> Phil's SINPO ratings prompted me to look up the definition of this code.
I guessed some of it but was unsure of the rest.
>
> I found the following link useful.
>
> http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/practical/html/reportingcode.html
>
> Curious, though.  I paid less than US $600 for each of my R390As.  If I
had paid more, would the meters in them be true S-Meters and not just
"tuning indicators"??
>
> 73,
>
> Barry - N4BUQ



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