[TenTec] Orion II S meter

[joel hallas]

Ken,

I agree with your statements, but would like to point out that it 
doesn't have to be that way. If you borrow a top quality calibrated 
signal generator, or spring for one of the Elecraft receiver 
calibrators, and borrow or build a calibrated step attenuator, you can 
quickly make a table of what your S-meter really means. I've done that 
with my transceiver and keep the spreadsheet in the back of the logbook. 
It's great to be able to give a difinitive comparison when someone asks, 
or know quickly what your F/B is or whether all of your antennas are 
working (if you note the difference in level from stations in a few 
different directions on all your antennas when the are working!).

OTOH, getting a 30 over report always makes me think something must be 
working!

73, Joel Hallas, W1ZR

Ken Waites wrote:

>Well , speaking only for myself, I will not worry one second about S-meter accuracy -- if there is such a thing.
>
>I think S meter readings are as important as the signal report you get during a contest or DXpedition - everybody is 599.  Be happy, but improve your antenna anyway.
>
>All it does for me is provide a comparison for when the person on the other end switches from A to B -- "yep that one is stronger", i.e. its only the comparison that matters.  If anyone thinks going from +15 over to +20 over means they got 5 db more ...  -- well, I think there may be better measuring techniques.  Only "you are a bit stronger than before" matters.
>
>Q: "Was that with the preamp on or off?"  "Did you have your antenna directly on me?"  Is the gain linear? Did you have parallax problems reading the meter?   
>A: "Gees, I gave you a 30 over report -- what else do you want?"
>
>
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