Message-ID: <001101bf9dcb$7fb5b540$0301a8c0@steve>
From: "Steve Olney" <ollaneg@zeta.org.au>
To: "RSGB LF Group" <rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org>
Subject: LF: S-meter readings...
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2000 10:19:42 +1000
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G'day All,

I have a question about something that has puzzled me for some time now.
It concerns the procedure for giving signal reports.   I understand the
scale for readability - no problem.   The problem I have is with the the
signal strength part.   The R part is a relative indication - relative to
QRM/QRN etc, as I understand it.   But what about the S part?

In the case of a receiver which at the frequency and time of the received
signal has an S-meter reading where the needle is just moved off the stop in
the absence of a signal - an S-meter reading of 5 on a signal would seem to
warrant a report of S5.

However, the same receiver which might have a preamplifier added and at the
time and ferquency of the received which has a no-signal reading of say 3.
If that receiver now receives a signal which moves the S-meter up to a
reading of 8 - what is the appropriate report for the signal?   S8 or S(8-3)
= S5?

It seems to me that it is possible to have a high level of noise with a
small signal which is barely readable but giving a S-meter reading of 8.

Isn't closer to the truth to be giving S-points above the noise or am I
missing the point?

73s Steve Olney (VK2ZTO/AXSO - QF56IK : Lat -33 34 07, Long +150 44 40)
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Laser Comms DX
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