Posted by
Don Wilhelm-4 on
Feb 02, 2008; 5:23am
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/K3-S-Meter-tp459516p459517.html
Don,
If you look at the S-meter markings carefully, and consider that each
mark indicates 5 to 6 dB, then the scale does make sense. The scale from
S1 to S3 would indicate a change of 12 dB - and that is about the same
distance as the difference between S9 and S9+12 db. If the scale is 6 dB
per S unit, then S0 through S9 would occupy the same horizontal space as
S9 through S9+60 dB. It looks to me as though the K3 S-meter scale is
more like 1 S unit = 5 dB, but then that is just an observation from the
scale on the meter, nothing based on any measurements.
I do not believe that compressing the upper end of that scale would be
an advantage - The current display makes sense to me on a mathematical
scale, your opinions may vary.
You are correct that most reports do not rely on the S-meter readings -
one just 'calls them as we see them' based on any number of factors
other than the indications on the S-meter.
73,
Don W3FPR
Don Rasmussen wrote:
> I have never given an S-meter reading in 30 years of
> hamming, it does not mean anything. But I do enjoy
> seeing the S-meter move through it's full range, it
> allows a good visual gauge of QSB.
>
> The K3 meter scale is bunched up on the left side of
> the range, having less physical distance for S0 to S9
> as for S9 + 10 to S9 +60. So the right half of the
> scale is pretty much wasted for me with respect to the
> S-meter display.
>
> We need a little more range in the SMTR SC CONFIG, but
> if you take that to minimum (10) and set SMTR OF to
> (22), the meter is laid out more like an OMNI VI meter
> where the majority of the display is devoted to S1 to
> S9 + 10.
>
> Looking at the more darkened markings on the meter
> face, the first mark rates about S3, the next S5, then
> S7, S9 would be where the +40 indicator is, and full
> scale would be S9 + 10db.
>
> I've requested a little more range on the SMTR SC to
> come down to possibly 5 rather than the present
> minimum of 10 to allow a better resting value on the S
> meter but that went into the pile of "cosmetics",
> somehow less important than coding for the upcoming
> SubRX. ;-)
>
> Of course I agree with that 100%.
>
> I also agree that some purists will be offended by the
> idea of an uncalibrated S-meter but please - the
> subject has been beat to death so please flame me in
> private if you feel the need to vent. Or read the
> archives, it's still all there. !!!
>
> de wb8yqj ..
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