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S-meter - Printable Version

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S-meter - KC1SA - 12-08-2022

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


RE: S-meter - N1API - 12-08-2022

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