K-3 S-Meter

[Tobyp]

 
The  

Re: [Elecraft] K3 S-Meter
drewko Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:31:07 -0800

Don,

I always seem to have my RF gain adjusted by ear to below where the
s-meter will deflect on a particular signal. So I will most always
have to readjust the gain to see an s-meter reading. The RF gain can
be adjusted much lower than the signal's meter deflection point but
still have an audible signal. A moderate strength signal can still be
heard when the RF gain has been turned down to the point where the
s-meter incicates s9+40 db. The more I think about it the less useful it seems to have the meter
deflect upward with a lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find this
action useful for tuning in a signal?

I know that I would be fiddling around with the RF gain control a lot
less if the s-meter display was not affected by the gain control. Why
not make the s-meter "absolute mode", which is independent of the
attenuation setting, also independent of the RF gain control? That
seems more consistent and logical to memore I think about it the less useful it seems to have the meterdeflect upward with a lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find thisaction useful for tuning in a signal? I know that I would be fiddling around with the RF gain control a lotless if the s-meter display was not affected by the gain control. Whynot make the s-meter "absolute mode", which is independent of theattenuation setting, also independent of the RF gain control? Thatseems more consistent and logical to me
 
 The more I think about it the less useful it seems to have the meter
deflect upward with a lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find this
action useful for tuning in a signal?

I know that I would be fiddling around with the RF gain control a lot
less if the s-meter display was not affected by the gain control. Why
not make the s-meter "absolute mode", which is independent of the
attenuation setting, also independent of the RF gain control? That
seems more consistent and logical to me
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[N2TK]

With this s-meter discussion I have a question -  I have my RF Gain control
set up so that I turn it counterclockwise till I see a one bar increase with
the s-meter. This puts the RF Gain control at about 3:00. The K3 "seems" to
handle strong signals a little better in the pileups. If I do this and do
the RF calibrate with the XG3, is it recommended to put the RF Gain control
at full gain (this is what I presently do), or leave the RF Gain control at
3:00?

I seem the to favor the discussion that when in absolute mode, the RF gain
control does not have any effect on the s-meter. There are so many things
that affect the received s-meter reading that I only ever use it as a
relative comparison meter.

And on a side note I do like the number of "great" and "clear" audio reports
I got at KP2M during last week's contest with the K3 with the Yamaha CM-500.

73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Toby Pennington
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 5:53 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K-3 S-Meter

 
The  

Re: [Elecraft] K3 S-Meter
drewko Wed, 06 Mar 2013 07:31:07 -0800

Don,

I always seem to have my RF gain adjusted by ear to below where the s-meter
will deflect on a particular signal. So I will most always have to readjust
the gain to see an s-meter reading. The RF gain can be adjusted much lower
than the signal's meter deflection point but still have an audible signal. A
moderate strength signal can still be heard when the RF gain has been turned
down to the point where the s-meter incicates s9+40 db. The more I think
about it the less useful it seems to have the meter deflect upward with a
lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find this action useful for tuning in a
signal?

I know that I would be fiddling around with the RF gain control a lot less
if the s-meter display was not affected by the gain control. Why not make
the s-meter "absolute mode", which is independent of the attenuation
setting, also independent of the RF gain control? That seems more consistent
and logical to memore I think about it the less useful it seems to have the
meterdeflect upward with a lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find
thisaction useful for tuning in a signal? I know that I would be fiddling
around with the RF gain control a lotless if the s-meter display was not
affected by the gain control. Whynot make the s-meter "absolute mode", which
is independent of theattenuation setting, also independent of the RF gain
control? Thatseems more consistent and logical to me
 
 The more I think about it the less useful it seems to have the meter
deflect upward with a lowered RF gain setting. Does anyone find this action
useful for tuning in a signal?

I know that I would be fiddling around with the RF gain control a lot less
if the s-meter display was not affected by the gain control. Why not make
the s-meter "absolute mode", which is independent of the attenuation
setting, also independent of the RF gain control? That seems more consistent
and logical to me
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[Lyle Johnson]

You must run the calibration at full RF gain.  ANy other setting will
give unpredictable results.

73,

Lyle KK7P
> ... If I do this and do
> the RF calibrate with the XG3, is it recommended to put the RF Gain control
> at full gain (this is what I presently do), or leave the RF Gain control at
> 3:00?

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[Pierfrancesco Caci]

Lyle,
is there a preferred band for doing the calibration?

thanks

Pf

On Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:02:23 -0700
Lyle Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> You must run the calibration at full RF gain.  ANy other setting will
> give unpredictable results.
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
> > ... If I do this and do
> > the RF calibrate with the XG3, is it recommended to put the RF Gain
> > control at full gain (this is what I presently do), or leave the RF
> > Gain control at 3:00?
>
>

--
Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx

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[Richard Fjeld]

I recall the pre-amp is supposed to be on.

Rich, n0ce

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Pierfrancesco Caci
  Cc: [hidden email]
  Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 10:43 AM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-3 S-Meter


  Lyle,
  is there a preferred band for doing the calibration?

  thanks

  Pf

  On Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:02:23 -0700
  Lyle Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:

  > You must run the calibration at full RF gain.  ANy other setting will
  > give unpredictable results.
  >
  > 73,
  >
  > Lyle KK7P
  > > ... If I do this and do
  > > the RF calibrate with the XG3, is it recommended to put the RF Gain
  > > control at full gain (this is what I presently do), or leave the RF
  > > Gain control at 3:00?
  >
  >
  --
  Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Use 40 meters or whatever band is applicable to your generator.
See the Calibration Procedures section of the K3 manual - S-Meter
subsection.
If you are using S-MTR ABS, you may want to calibrate with the preamp
off rather than on.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/7/2013 11:43 AM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:

> Lyle,
> is there a preferred band for doing the calibration?
>
> thanks
>
> Pf
>
> On Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:02:23 -0700
> Lyle Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> You must run the calibration at full RF gain.  ANy other setting will
>> give unpredictable results.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Lyle KK7P
>>

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[Lyle Johnson]

The K3 Utility prompts you for all the settings and steps.

I don't recall that the band matters.  In general, if it isn't
specified, I do this sort of thing on 20 m or 40 m.

73,

Lyle KK7P

> ...is there a preferred band for doing the calibration?
>
>    > You must run the calibration at full RF gain.

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