[TenTec] TenTec RX-320 S-meter question.

[Scott Prather]

Just as an aside, Watkins-Johnson resolved the s-meter issue when they
introduced the HF-1000 in 1995.  Their s-meter read out the signal level at
the antenna input in dBm.  Given a constant input signal level, the s-meter
reading was the same regardless of whether the front-end attenuator or
preamp was in-line, nor was it affected by the setting of the RF gain
control.  And it was extremely accurate.  The idea was that an s-meter
should show the operator what the signal level is, not how the receiver is
manipulating the signal.  They did this through an algorithm in the DSP
which took into account all receiver gain settings, as well as utilizing
components with tight tolerances throughout the analog portion of the
receiver.

I rarely use the s-meter for much more than a tuning aid. I prefer the RST
system, which when properly used, conveys a lot more infomation about the
overall signal quality and readability than an s-meter reading.

Scott
N7NB


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