[Yaesu] FT857 and S meter readings

[John Geiger]

Has anyone else noticed that the S meter readings on the FT857D are way too generous?  Among other things, this makes the noise level look worse than it actually is.  I am seeing a S5 or S6 noise level on certain bands, but after some investigating, I see why (other than the fact that I do have a noisy QTH).  In looking at the QST reviews for some different rigs, and seeing the signal level required (in microvolts) for an S9 reading on 20 meters, I found the following:

Rig             Signal level required
FT857D              17
FT450               88
FT100               32
IC706MKIIG          34
IC7000             120
IC746               78
FT897               16

Now the FT857D and FT897 obviously require much less signal to hit a S9.  Has anyone else noticed that the S meter seems pessismistic in terms of noise level?  And is there a way to adjust the S meter to give more normal readings?

73s John AA5JG