Application Note: KX1 S-meter calibration procedure

[David Toepfer]

This procedure got an initial nod from Wayne so I am posting it to the list for
broader peer review as it were...

kb3ipe

dt
.

----

The procedure outlined on p65 in the SIG row of the table for adjusting the
S-meter calibration does not seem to work well for me, so I have developed and
followed this procedure, which is similar but takes into account the apparent
effect adjusting H has on L.

If you find this procedure to be correct and superior it would probably best
fit on p68 between the VFO Lock/Unlock procedure and the Operating Frequency
Calibration procedure.

1) Set LEd to InF.

2) For each H setting record the L settings that result in s9 (5 bars) with an
Elecraft XG1 Receiver Test Oscillator / S-Meter Calibrator attached and set to
50uV:

Example:

H L
- -
2 50, 51
3 55, 56, 57
4 60, 61, 62, 63
5 65, 66, 67, 68, 69
6 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75
7 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81

3) Then remove all values (indicated in []'s) that show even anything more than
all blank (including a flashing 1) with an Elecraft DL1 Wideband 20W Dummy Load
connected:

Example (cont.):

H L
- -
2 [50, 51]
3 [55, 56, 57]
4 [60, 61, 62, 63]
5 [65, 66, 67, 68, 69]
6 [70, 71, 72,] 73, 74, 75
7 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, [80, 81]

4) Set for the lowest H value (indicated in ()'s) with L values not all
eliminated and then set for that lowest non-eliminated L value (indicated in
()'s):

Example (cont.):

H L
- -
[...]
(6) [70, 71, 72,] (73), 74, 75

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[wayne burdick]

On Jun 14, 2004, at 6:50 PM, David Toepfer wrote:

> This procedure got an initial nod from Wayne so I am posting it to the
> list for
> broader peer review as it were...


Thanks, David. To anyone attempting this procedure:

- Calibrating the S-meter is a bit tedious by whatever method you use.
I hope to make the KX1's S-meter much easier to calibrate in the
future.

- It's likely that only a very small range of S-meter menu parameter
values will be usable, since they depend only on the accuracy of the 5-
and 6-volt regulators. So a faster method might be to start with the
average values used by all builders, then tweak them up/down over a
very small range.

- Clearly, the S-meter function of the KX1 is secondary in importance
to the rig's other features. There are only six bars, limiting its
utility no matter how well you calibrate it.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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