If you have the P3's AVERAGE enabled, it can lower the peak shown on the P3. If at the same time, you have CONFIG:SMTR PK turned ON, there will probably be a significant difference between the two indicated levels. The K3's S-Meter will hang on the peaks for a short time, maybe long enough for you to hit the next voice or signal peak (makes it artificially high).
There's also a calibration for S-Meter and RF Gain shown in the OM (p51 of Rev D9). This doesn't normally need to be done because the facotry calibration is sufficient. The RF Gain calibration can be done using the K3 Utility, under the Calibration tab (...I think...). One way to be sure you are seeing signal levels as they are is to use a signal generator to put out a steady carrier (or use the ref oscillator @ 49.whatever-it-is). Since the peak and average are the same, the two readouts should be the same. I think there's a calibration for the P3's scale gain, but not sure about it since it's never been needed. You should just order the XG3 anyway. It's a heckuva great tool to have around and makes a decent QRP CW transmitter too. 73 and Good Luck! matt W6NIA On Thu, 05 May 2011 21:59:43 -0600, you wrote: >Seems to be quite a difference in the readings between the P3 showing S >scale and he S meter reading on the K3. The software in both is up to >date(recently at least). The difference is quite significant with the P3 >being considerably lower. Maybe I don't know how to read the two meters. >On the K3 I read the mostly steady peak reading excluding the static crashes >if any. On the P3 using clear frequency noise as an example, I tend to read >the "average" of the noise trace. Should I be reading the peaks >(disregarding static crashes)? > >Is there a calibration I need to do? To which and where is the procedure >spelled out? > >Will I will need to order the new XG3? (please) > >TIA, de Jim KG0KP > > >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
