W1NRG Forum - S-meter

I read a blurb on the IC-7610 FB page today, this ham was complaining that ICOM isn't following "standards" with their S-meter. I had to giggle a bit. I recall my TS-2000 S-meter reports when I first got my ticket baffled me, but then soon realized the S-meter doesn't really have any standard it's 'calibrated' against but is a signal level power figure that can be used with other QSOs on the same rig. This article, written 15 years ago, does a pretty good job summing up the S-meter.

In the end, when we contest or rag chew, very few hams actually report the 'real' S-meter level on their rig to the other QSO party rather the report is a 'solid 59' or 'you're a 59+10' . Sort of silly, isn't.

S-meter topic

73 and happy holidays.

Steve
KC1SA

For the most part actual signal reports aren't required for confirmations. So everyone uses the "contest standard" 59 or 599. i guess where you see it mostly would be on QSL cards.

Or on the air where two stations are conducting tests with a distant station to check antenna or power differences.

Al - N1API