[TenTec] STANDARDISATION OF S-METER READINGS

[d.e.warnick at comcast.net]

And, if you really want your s-meter readings to mean anything (you gotta be anal to do this), calculate your antenna gain, feedline loss, tuner loss, switch loss, etc. 599 into a 4-el beam may be the same as 569 into a wire
Dave
WA3MKB

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Bob McGraw - K4TAX" <RMcGraw at Blomand.net> 

> Interesting. In looking at the data taken from my Omni VI Plus a couple of 
> years ago I find that the S meter seemed quite accurate. Feeding the 
> HP8656A generator to the input of the receiver, 50 uV equals S -9 on the 
> meter. Then in -6 dB steps down in level, the S-meter tracked +/- needle 
> width down to S-3. Looking at levels over S-9, I noted that 50 uV +10 dB 
> indicates 10 over S-9, and 20 dB over 50 uV is 20 over S-9 and 30 dB over 50 
> uV the meter indicates 30 dB over S-9. This was after the S meter was 
> calibrated as per the manual. The physical reading of the meter below S-3 
> was noted as undecernable with regard to accuracy. 
> 
> I did some repair work on my Collins S-Line 75S-3B and clearly, S-9 = 100 uV 
> as per the manual. I do notice that the meter scale show S-9 to be 40 on 
> the DB scale with S-3 at 20 on the DB scale. The difference is 6 S units 
> and 20 DB. This nets a 3.3 dB per S unit level. 
> 
> I seem to recall reading some history about the S unit. It was generally 
> supposed to be a measurement to comply with the RST system. 
> 
> Still love the reports that go "ur 599 hr, please repeat your QTH and Name 
> and my RST". sigh 
> 
> 73 
> Bob, K4TAX 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tony Berg" 
> To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" 
> Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:59 AM 
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] STANDARDISATION OF S-METER READINGS 
> 
> 
> > In the February 2008 issue of QST, on page 36, there is a reference to 
> > an internet article on this topic. The web address is not quite right. 
> > It should be (I hope I get this right): 
> > 
> > 
> www.seed-solutions.com/gregordy/Amateur%20Radio/Experimentation/SMeterBlues.htm 
> > 
> > 73, Tony W1OT 
> > 
> > On 1/9/08, Jim Brown K9YC wrote: 
> >> On Tue, 8 Jan 2008 21:15:51 -0600, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote: 
> >> 
> >> >Fortunately most companies today do adhere to and have adopted the 
> >> >50 uV for S-9 as the standard and one S unit change is 6 dB signal 
> >> >change. 
> >> 
> >> Really? I doubt it. I own two TS850s and two FT1000MPs. I haven't 
> >> measured the sensitivity of S9 (I simply didn't pay attention), but 
> >> I looked at the value of an S-unit. In general, S8 to S9 is usually 
> >> be 6 dB, but S7 to S8 is less, and S-units below S6 are about 3 dB 
> >> on a good day. YMMV. Standard adhered to by manufacturers? Ya gotta 
> >> be kidding. 
> >> 
> >> 73, 
> >> 
> >> Jim Brown K9YC 
> >> 
> >> 
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> 
> 
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