[Orion] S meter

[Richard Detweiler]

Hi Martin,

To add to the confusion,  When Aligning the S-Meter, I find the S-Meter is 
only calibrated for a particular frequency as well.

Usually 20 Meters about 14.250

I often wonder if the S-meter has any real meaning of units as it can be off 
by alot from radio to radio and from frequency to frequency.

They all seem to have about the same gain needed to move up one S unit of 
6db though.

Lets see, to go from S3 to S5 is a 12db gain,  so, if the transmitter was at 
100 Watts out at S3,   then be Transmitter would have to be 1600 watts out 
to make S5.

73's
Rich
K5SF



>From: Martin Ewing <martin at aa6e.net>
>To: orion at contesting.com
>Subject: [Orion] S meter
>Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 16:08:55 -0500
>
>The discussion about S meter calibration reminds me of a question I have 
>for all the grey beards out there.
>
>If S9 = 50 uV is standard, and 6 dB per S unit (or is it 5 dB?), my 
>question is what is the "reference plane" for the measurement?
>
>The useful reference, to me, should be the input connector.  If that were 
>true, the S meter reading should NOT CHANGE when switching the preamp on or 
>off or changing the attenuator.  This is clearly not the case with the 
>Orion - or with many (all?) rigs I've used.
>
>Except for history, we would be better served by power measurements -- 
>"Your sigs today are -120 dBm, old man".  Or maybe, "Your sig is 10 dB 
>above my noise level."
>
>Accurate S readings (or power for that matter) aren't very meaningful if 
>you don't know the antenna/feed line gain/loss.   Frequently I am getting 
>589 or 599 when my Orion's meter shows S4 for the other guy.
>
>Oh well, it's a hobby!
>
>73, Martin AA6E
>
>p.s. Nice S meter stuff at 
>http://www.geocities.com/ja1vbn2000/etc/S-unit.html
>
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