[TenTec] STANDARDISATION OF S-METER READINGS

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

But the definition is "signal strength at the receiver input".  These 
gains/losses, as you describe, generally apply equally to the transmitted 
signal as well as the received signal.

73
Bob K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <d.e.warnick at comcast.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 4:01 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] STANDARDISATION OF S-METER READINGS


> 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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