Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

I just came across another situation where the K3 S-meter wasn't doing the
job.
Bought an MFJ noise canceller (works at receive frequency, using a separate
noise pickup antenna). The reason that the purchase came about *now* was
that, unlike my other rigs, the K3 has this wonderful RX antenna loop, where
the noise canceller can be inserted without worries about transmitting
through it.  On the device you adjust an amplitude control for each antenna
such that the noise signal has the same amplitude from both antennas, and
then you adjust a phasing control to null out the noise signal. Well, guess,
what? Both for the amplitude matching and for nulling an S-meter showing a
small differences such as 1 dB is highly desirable. While this can
occasionally be done for distant unwanted signals, the main usefulness of
the device is for when the amplitude and phase relationships are constant,
i.e. for local noise sources. Thus there is no QSB to dither the reading
between full S-units - with only full S-units shown you have no idea if you
are 6 dB or 1 dB from the next step. If you don't see a small decrease when
approaching the null, you are likely to turn the knob too fast and miss the
null altogether. My workaround was to turn off AGC and listen for the volume
changes. I deemed the built-in audio level meter to be too slow. To to what
almost any radio would let me do by just watching the S-meter, I had one
button press to turn off the AGC, one shock to my ears, one adjustment to RF
gain, one button press to turn on AGC and one readjustment of RF gain.

A computer program displaying the S-meter output from the K3 is no help in
this situation, as it only sees whole S-units, and with no QSB it won't
bounce between those steps. A panoramic display is probably helpful, and
this experience gives me another reason to get one. However, after I spent
the day using the computer for other work, I usually feel to lazy to turn on
ham radio software just to relax from the computer by doing some some ham
radio. Also, I always do Field Day with a group that lets me bring my own
radio but has no power source to power my laptop. (Logging is done using an
ancient DOS FD logging program, running on a small old laptop to which I
don't have access for installing panoramic software (nor any other software
that might complement the functionality of the K3). 

73,
Erik K7TV


David Cutter wrote:
> 
> Agreed
> 
> 
>> A calibrated S meter could be useful tool in many other ways.
>>
>> - Measuring  field strength and patterns of antennas.
>>
>> - Reporting on things like BPL and other radiated and conducted 
>> measurements that seem to be a daily threat on HF. Just knowing they
>> close 
>> to  S9 plus plus minus 20 db is not a professional way to build an 
>> argument against such pollution in professional circles. Having a 
>> calibrated S meter  and adding something a like calibrated loop with a 
>> known antenna factor would make collecting and surveying potential RF 
>> pollution data very easy. While we don't need 0.1 db accuracy 1 db of 
>> accuracy is easily achieved in SDR radios.
>>
>> http://www.vk1od.net/bpl/QueanbeyanBplTrial2.htm
>>
>> - Using a good S-meter would also be a reliable  way of surveying a 
>> potential new QTH. The data could be used to compare signal noise levels 
>> to the thermal noise floor, or even compare what you are measuring to the 
>> surveyed ITU noise levels on HF.  It would be nice knowing that your 
>> potential new QTH  is in a QRM silent location. It would also be good 
>> comparing noise floors amongst hams for various locations.
>>
>> - It would also be useful knowing how accurate and reliable propagation 
>> programs are on a daily basis since they do predict signal levels.  This 
>> might come in handy if one wanted to build a DSP  based DF system which 
>> relies on ionospheric data.
>>
>> - As a general level meter around the shack, it could even be used as an 
>> accurate power meter.
>>
>> So to me a well calibrated S-meter can take  the place of many expensive 
>> instruments that most hams dont have access to on a daily basis. It is a 
>> very useful tool. When  we use some sort of absolute reference our 
>> understanding of what we are  measuring on a daily basis  increases our 
>> understanding of what we are doing in our hobby.
>>
>> While we on this subject if further work is carried out on the K3's 
>> s-meter  you might as  well follow the IARU's recommendation for S-meters 
>> and make it quasi peak in nature.
>>
>> Besides these days, with the  competition increasing in the new radio 
>> market with radios like the Perseus, ADAT and the newly released cheap 
>> Flexradio models, all which offer a very accurate S-meters as a feature. 
>> It would do no harm to the K3's reputation  having a feature that some 
>> consider desirable, that's marketing not  rocket science.
>>
>>
>> 73
>> Craig
>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.

[W6NEK]

Jerry Flanders said:

The K3 with PowerSDR panadaptor is the best pan system of all I have ever 
used, starting with the Heath panadaptor in the mid-'70's. and including 
all 4 radios of the 756 series.


Jerry W4UK



I agree fully and can add two more rigs to what Jerry already mentions 
above:

Kenwood TS-950SDX + SM-230 Panadapter.
Icom IC-7800 built-in bandscope.

Not only is the PowerSDR panadapter display the best I have ever seen, the 
point and click feature for S&P in a contest is simply unbeatable.  If you 
already own and use a later model logging computer then the addition of the 
LP-PAN IF interface and PowerSDR software to the K3 is, in my opinion, the 
single biggest enhancement available for the K3 (in fixed station use) at 
this time.


My 2 cents,
Frank - W6NEK

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.

[Jerry Flanders]

At 04:40 PM 10/30/2008, Julian, G4ILO wrote:


Ralph Parker wrote:
>
> What I REALLY want is a stand-alone spectrum display (think 756 PRO).
> That's the main reason I'm keeping the Pro III for 6m.
>
I'd like one too. Though I'd settle for a soundcard based one that didn't
come with a whole screenful of SDR software attached to it so I could stick
it in a corner of the screen and still have room for my logging program and
datamode software.



Use PowerSDR with panadaptor hardware like LP-Pan or one of the I/Q 
receivers like I do. Position PowerSDR so only the panadaptor panel 
shows in the lower left corner of your display, then position your 
other software on top of the unneeded portions of PowerSDR. I have a 
BUNCH of stuff on my 1680x1050 display: PowerSDR, Writelog with 
several panels, etc., etc...


The K3 with PowerSDR panadaptor is the best pan system of all I have 
ever used, starting with the Heath panadaptor in the mid-'70's. and 
including all 4 radios of the 756 series.


Jerry W4UK 


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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[David Cutter]

Agreed



A calibrated S meter could be useful tool in many other ways.

- Measuring  field strength and patterns of antennas.

- Reporting on things like BPL and other radiated and conducted 
measurements that seem to be a daily threat on HF. Just knowing they close 
to  S9 plus plus minus 20 db is not a professional way to build an 
argument against such pollution in professional circles. Having a 
calibrated S meter  and adding something a like calibrated loop with a 
known antenna factor would make collecting and surveying potential RF 
pollution data very easy. While we don't need 0.1 db accuracy 1 db of 
accuracy is easily achieved in SDR radios.


http://www.vk1od.net/bpl/QueanbeyanBplTrial2.htm

- Using a good S-meter would also be a reliable  way of surveying a 
potential new QTH. The data could be used to compare signal noise levels 
to the thermal noise floor, or even compare what you are measuring to the 
surveyed ITU noise levels on HF.  It would be nice knowing that your 
potential new QTH  is in a QRM silent location. It would also be good 
comparing noise floors amongst hams for various locations.


- It would also be useful knowing how accurate and reliable propagation 
programs are on a daily basis since they do predict signal levels.  This 
might come in handy if one wanted to build a DSP  based DF system which 
relies on ionospheric data.


- As a general level meter around the shack, it could even be used as an 
accurate power meter.


So to me a well calibrated S-meter can take  the place of many expensive 
instruments that most hams dont have access to on a daily basis. It is a 
very useful tool. When  we use some sort of absolute reference our 
understanding of what we are  measuring on a daily basis  increases our 
understanding of what we are doing in our hobby.


While we on this subject if further work is carried out on the K3's 
s-meter  you might as  well follow the IARU's recommendation for S-meters 
and make it quasi peak in nature.


Besides these days, with the  competition increasing in the new radio 
market with radios like the Perseus, ADAT and the newly released cheap 
Flexradio models, all which offer a very accurate S-meters as a feature. 
It would do no harm to the K3's reputation  having a feature that some 
consider desirable, that's marketing not  rocket science.



73
Craig


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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

Guy,

I too would like that capability, *but* it would not make sense to use the
K3 this way unless it has the long term gain stability (including vs.
temperature changes) to support it. In response to my raising that issue,
Geoff (GM4ESD) emailed me off list to suggest that the J-FET used used in
the K3 signal chain before the DSP (used in the hardware AGC loop unless I
am mistaken) may be a source of gain variation with temperature. On the
other hand, I would think that the K3 receive gain would be more stable
against temperature variations than an analog receiver that might have many
more stages that are susceptible.
I don't know if the K3 hardware is stable enough to be used as a calibrated
uV meter. If it is, then no doubt we will eventually see software and
firmware to make use of it. If not, then I would not fault Wayne, since a
designer cannot please everybody, and he must design for the goals that make
economic sense to him. 

It has been pointed out that some software defined receivers (presumably
without analog stages) can function well as calibrated signal strenght
meters for received signals. Personally I would want something like that
anyway, for the panoramic reception capability, so that makes me less
impatient for the K3 to be proven as or disproven as a precision RF
voltmeter. (I would still like to have a high-resolution S-meter, though,
inaccurate or not. Thanks Don Rasmussen for sharing your approach.). I have
a SoftRock Lite in the pipeline for a first panadapter attempt. The price of
that is so low that it isn't very important whether it is good enough or
not. If it is not, I will just move on to something better. It would be
interesting to know what you give up if you get, say, an SDR-IQ vs. a
Perseus. Of course the LP-Pan is also an alternative.

73,
Erik K7TV





I'd like to be able to calibrate it to 1 uV and 50 uV and know that the
noise on the band is -10 or +3 dBuV and that the signal from a friend has
gone down to +18 from +26 last week and previous.  That requires a
calibration, and while one could just use what the rig does naturally as a
reference, the K3 has changing SDR code, and maintaining a calibration on a
reference source sure does simplify things.

To another objection earlier in the thread, inexpensive test equipment
doesn't have selectability to narrow down on a single CW signal. So I'm
looking at the firmware only abilities (not hardware) of a K3 to do
something that has always been a bear.  Other SDR's have it, so I figure
Wayne will get to it in time, and I will have a piece of on-the-air test
gear that I've never had, and prior to now couldn't get without taking out a
mortgage.

73, Guy.

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Guy, K2AV]

I'd like to be able to calibrate it to 1 uV and 50 uV and know that the noise
on the band is -10 or +3 dBuV and that the signal from a friend has gone
down to +18 from +26 last week and previous.  That requires a calibration,
and while one could just use what the rig does naturally as a reference, the
K3 has changing SDR code, and maintaining a calibration on a reference
source sure does simplify things.

To another objection earlier in the thread, inexpensive test equipment
doesn't have selectability to narrow down on a single CW signal. So I'm
looking at the firmware only abilities (not hardware) of a K3 to do
something that has always been a bear.  Other SDR's have it, so I figure
Wayne will get to it in time, and I will have a piece of on-the-air test
gear that I've never had, and prior to now couldn't get without taking out a
mortgage.

73, Guy.


David Woolley (E.L) wrote:
> 
> Guy, K2AV wrote:
>> beam kind of thing.  Although that can be done relatively with the audio
>> voltage level, it wouldn't allow me to tell a local that his ground wave
>> signal has gone down 3 db and is staying there, or be able to create data
>> for studies over time.  
> 
> You only require that both measurements be relative to the same 
> reference, not that the absolute value of that reference be known.  3dB 
> always represents the same ratio.
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> David Woolley
> "The Elecraft list is a forum for the discussion of topics related to 
> Elecraft products and more general topics related ham radio"
> List Guidelines 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[David Woolley (E.L)]

Guy, K2AV wrote:

beam kind of thing.  Although that can be done relatively with the audio
voltage level, it wouldn't allow me to tell a local that his ground wave
signal has gone down 3 db and is staying there, or be able to create data
for studies over time.  


You only require that both measurements be relative to the same 
reference, not that the absolute value of that reference be known.  3dB 
always represents the same ratio.




--
David Woolley
"The Elecraft list is a forum for the discussion of topics related to 
Elecraft products and more general topics related ham radio"

List Guidelines 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Larry Phipps]

Once calibrated to an accurate reference, LP-PAN provides an extremely 
accurate S-Meter in dBm, in addition to the display.  +/- 2dB absolute 
accuracy can be obtained by using an Elecraft XG-2 mini  module as the 
reference for calibration. The linearity is better than 1 dB over a 
115dB range. This is independent of any K3 AGC settings.


Larry N8LP


> From: ab2tc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Friday, October 31, 2008, 8:01 AM
> Hi,
> 
> Adding a new command for a dBm report would not break any

> existing software.
> A resolution of 1 S unit or 5dB is really unsatisfactory.
> 
> 

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RE: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

If you want a test instrument, purchase a test instrument 
and don't load up the cost of the K3 for all of the other 
users.  The K3 S-meter is one of the most accurate and 
linear meters of any transceiver - particularly if the 
K3 Smeter is configured for absolute mode.  Resolution 
better than 5/6 dB per step is better left to an SDR 
solution like SDR-IQ or LP-PAN.  

> Most people  would not buy any piece of test equipment 
> with 300% inaccuracy. 

Where is the 300% inaccuracy?  When calibrated according 
to the instructions, the K3 Smeter works out to about 
4.5 dB per unit (50 uV at S9, 1 uV at S2 => 34 dB/8). 
That makes the maximum "offset" in the middle of a step 
30% - not 300%. 

If you need better resolution than that - buy a spectrum 
analyzer. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 


> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Craig
> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 5:08 PM
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> 
> 
> 
> Hi Guy
> 
> It seems that the consensus is that a pretty innacurate S-meter is ok.
> 
> I dont know why everything related to ham radio has to be 
> reduced to the bare minimum or  be in the totally useless 
> category. Not everyone's ham radio life revolves around  
> giving out cookie cutter signal reports. 
> 
> Most people  would not buy any piece of test equipment with  
> 300% inaccuracy. I could just imagine all the shouting if 
> power meters had   a tolerance of +- 200% or likewise VSWR 
> meter.  S meters should be no different. 
> 
> A calibrated S meter could be useful tool in many other ways.
> 
> - Measuring  field strength and patterns of antennas.
> 
> - Reporting on things like BPL and other radiated and 
> conducted measurements that seem to be a daily threat on HF. 
> Just knowing they close to  S9 plus plus minus 20 db is not a 
> professional way to build an argument against such pollution 
> in professional circles. Having a calibrated S meter  and 
> adding something a like calibrated loop with a known antenna 
> factor would make collecting and surveying potential RF 
> pollution data very easy. While we don't need 0.1 db accuracy 
> 1 db of accuracy is easily achieved in SDR radios.
> 
> http://www.vk1od.net/bpl/QueanbeyanBplTrial2.htm
> 
> - Using a good S-meter would also be a reliable  way of 
> surveying a potential new QTH. The data could be used to 
> compare signal noise levels to the thermal noise floor, or 
> even compare what you are measuring to the surveyed ITU noise 
> levels on HF.  It would be nice knowing that your potential 
> new QTH  is in a QRM silent location. It would also be good 
> comparing noise floors amongst hams for various locations.
> 
> - It would also be useful knowing how accurate and reliable 
> propagation programs are on a daily basis since they do 
> predict signal levels.  This might come in handy if one 
> wanted to build a DSP  based DF system which relies on 
> ionospheric data.
> 
> - As a general level meter around the shack, it could even be 
> used as an accurate power meter.
> 
> So to me a well calibrated S-meter can take  the place of 
> many expensive instruments that most hams dont have access to 
> on a daily basis. It is a very useful tool. When  we use some 
> sort of absolute reference our understanding of what we are  
> measuring on a daily basis  increases our understanding of 
> what we are doing in our hobby.
> 
> While we on this subject if further work is carried out on 
> the K3's s-meter  you might as  well follow the IARU's 
> recommendation for S-meters and make it quasi peak in nature.
> 
> Besides these days, with the  competition increasing in the 
> new radio market with radios like the Perseus, ADAT and the 
> newly released cheap Flexradio models, all which offer a very 
> accurate S-meters as a feature. It would do no harm to the 
> K3's reputation  having a feature that some consider 
> desirable, that's marketing not  rocket science.
> 
> 
> 73
> Craig
> 
> --- On Fri, 10/31/08, Guy, K2AV <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > From: Guy, K2AV <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> > Date: Friday, October 31, 2008, 12:05 PM
> > I would just like to see signal strength, including noise,
> > in absolute
> > reference levels. In particular when listening to a local while 
> > turning a beam kind of thing.  Although that can be done relatively
> > with the audio
> > voltage level, it wouldn't allow me to tell a local
> > that his ground wave
> > signal has gone do

Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

Several people have mentioned the possible use of a nuanced S-meter or a dBm
or dBuV readout as a potential serious piece of test equipment (as opposed
to the quick-glance uses that I have mentioned).
In general I think receivers in the past have been unsuitable for such use
because of temperature dependencies and other changes over time. Perhaps the
K3, relying less on analog amplifiers, has a better potential for such use.
If that is the case, it would really be a shame if that potential were not
to be realized.

Erik K7TV


Well said Craig!

I
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

Well said Craig!

I would again mention how useful a nuanced S-meter is for peaking a beam
heading. I am not in the habit of looking up stations on QRZ when I work
them or hear them (even though I have a fast PC with dual displays right at
the operating position), so unless they have a dx prefix I really don't know
the proper beam heading. Typically with normal qsb I can get close enough by
swinging the beam past the desired direction a few times, IF I have a
nuanced and easy to read S-meter.

Also, a nuanced S-meter is an invaluable sensory input that gives us subtle
clues as to what is happening with propagation, and we all want to have a
better sense of that, I believe.

Erik K7TV


Craig-89 wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Guy
> 
> It seems that the consensus is that a pretty innacurate S-meter is ok.
> 
> I dont know why everything related to ham radio has to be reduced to the
> bare minimum or  be in the totally useless category. Not everyone's ham
> radio life revolves around  giving out cookie cutter signal reports. 
> 
> Most people  would not buy any piece of test equipment with  300%
> inaccuracy. I could just imagine all the shouting if power meters had   a
> tolerance of +- 200% or likewise VSWR meter.  S meters should be no
> different. 
> 
> A calibrated S meter could be useful tool in many other ways.
> 
> - Measuring  field strength and patterns of antennas.
> 
> - Reporting on things like BPL and other radiated and conducted
> measurements that seem to be a daily threat on HF. Just knowing they close
> to  S9 plus plus minus 20 db is not a professional way to build an
> argument against such pollution in professional circles. Having a
> calibrated S meter  and adding something a like calibrated loop with a
> known antenna factor would make collecting and surveying potential RF
> pollution data very easy. While we don't need 0.1 db accuracy 1 db of
> accuracy is easily achieved in SDR radios.
> 
> http://www.vk1od.net/bpl/QueanbeyanBplTrial2.htm
> 
> - Using a good S-meter would also be a reliable  way of surveying a
> potential new QTH. The data could be used to compare signal noise levels
> to the thermal noise floor, or even compare what you are measuring to the
> surveyed ITU noise levels on HF.  It would be nice knowing that your
> potential new QTH  is in a QRM silent location. It would also be good
> comparing noise floors amongst hams for various locations.
> 
> - It would also be useful knowing how accurate and reliable propagation
> programs are on a daily basis since they do predict signal levels.  This
> might come in handy if one wanted to build a DSP  based DF system which
> relies on ionospheric data.
> 
> - As a general level meter around the shack, it could even be used as an
> accurate power meter.
> 
> So to me a well calibrated S-meter can take  the place of many expensive
> instruments that most hams dont have access to on a daily basis. It is a
> very useful tool. When  we use some sort of absolute reference our
> understanding of what we are  measuring on a daily basis  increases our
> understanding of what we are doing in our hobby.
> 
> While we on this subject if further work is carried out on the K3's
> s-meter  you might as  well follow the IARU's recommendation for S-meters
> and make it quasi peak in nature.
> 
> Besides these days, with the  competition increasing in the new radio
> market with radios like the Perseus, ADAT and the newly released cheap
> Flexradio models, all which offer a very accurate S-meters as a feature.
> It would do no harm to the K3's reputation  having a feature that some
> consider desirable, that's marketing not  rocket science.
> 
> 
> 73
> Craig
> 
> --- On Fri, 10/31/08, Guy, K2AV <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>> From: Guy, K2AV <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
>> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>> Date: Friday, October 31, 2008, 12:05 PM
>> I would just like to see signal strength, including noise,
>> in absolute
>> reference levels. In particular when listening to a local
>> while turning a
>> beam kind of thing.  Although that can be done relatively
>> with the audio
>> voltage level, it wouldn't allow me to tell a local
>> that his ground wave
>> signal has gone down 3 db and is staying there, or be able
>> to create data
>> for studies over time.  
>> 
>> Since it is an SDW, such is possible.  dBuv is fine.  Might
>> need linearity
>> points as part of the package which could be calibrated
>> with a precision
>> attenuator. 
>> 
>> 
>> Changing the functionality of the BG or SM commands so they
>> could provi

Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Craig]

Hi Guy

It seems that the consensus is that a pretty innacurate S-meter is ok.

I dont know why everything related to ham radio has to be reduced to the bare 
minimum or  be in the totally useless category. Not everyone's ham radio life 
revolves around  giving out cookie cutter signal reports. 

Most people  would not buy any piece of test equipment with  300% inaccuracy. I 
could just imagine all the shouting if power meters had   a tolerance of +- 
200% or likewise VSWR meter.  S meters should be no different. 

A calibrated S meter could be useful tool in many other ways.

- Measuring  field strength and patterns of antennas.

- Reporting on things like BPL and other radiated and conducted measurements 
that seem to be a daily threat on HF. Just knowing they close to  S9 plus plus 
minus 20 db is not a professional way to build an argument against such 
pollution in professional circles. Having a calibrated S meter  and adding 
something a like calibrated loop with a known antenna factor would make 
collecting and surveying potential RF pollution data very easy. While we don't 
need 0.1 db accuracy 1 db of accuracy is easily achieved in SDR radios.

http://www.vk1od.net/bpl/QueanbeyanBplTrial2.htm

- Using a good S-meter would also be a reliable  way of surveying a potential 
new QTH. The data could be used to compare signal noise levels to the thermal 
noise floor, or even compare what you are measuring to the surveyed ITU noise 
levels on HF.  It would be nice knowing that your potential new QTH  is in a 
QRM silent location. It would also be good comparing noise floors amongst hams 
for various locations.

- It would also be useful knowing how accurate and reliable propagation 
programs are on a daily basis since they do predict signal levels.  This might 
come in handy if one wanted to build a DSP  based DF system which relies on 
ionospheric data.

- As a general level meter around the shack, it could even be used as an 
accurate power meter.

So to me a well calibrated S-meter can take  the place of many expensive 
instruments that most hams dont have access to on a daily basis. It is a very 
useful tool. When  we use some sort of absolute reference our understanding of 
what we are  measuring on a daily basis  increases our understanding of what we 
are doing in our hobby.

While we on this subject if further work is carried out on the K3's s-meter  
you might as  well follow the IARU's recommendation for S-meters and make it 
quasi peak in nature.

Besides these days, with the  competition increasing in the new radio market 
with radios like the Perseus, ADAT and the newly released cheap Flexradio 
models, all which offer a very accurate S-meters as a feature. It would do no 
harm to the K3's reputation  having a feature that some consider desirable, 
that's marketing not  rocket science.


73
Craig

--- On Fri, 10/31/08, Guy, K2AV <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> From: Guy, K2AV <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Friday, October 31, 2008, 12:05 PM
> I would just like to see signal strength, including noise,
> in absolute
> reference levels. In particular when listening to a local
> while turning a
> beam kind of thing.  Although that can be done relatively
> with the audio
> voltage level, it wouldn't allow me to tell a local
> that his ground wave
> signal has gone down 3 db and is staying there, or be able
> to create data
> for studies over time.  
> 
> Since it is an SDW, such is possible.  dBuv is fine.  Might
> need linearity
> points as part of the package which could be calibrated
> with a precision
> attenuator. 
> 
> 
> Changing the functionality of the BG or SM commands so they
> could provide
> greater resolution *would* break software, which is what I
> was saying. But
> while I can see that having software access to the dBm
> reading could be
> useful for antenna measurement purposes, given the vagaries
> of propagation I
> would have thought that a 1 S-unit resolution was perfectly
> adequate for
> normal purposes. I cannot see how it would be more useful
> to be told I am
> S6.5 rather than S6 or S7, or even S5 or S8! Whatever the
> reading is it is
> going to be different 20 seconds later anyway.
> 
> 
> -- 
> View this message in context:
> http://n2.nabble.com/Bigger-K3-S-meter-tp1399030p1437492.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Guy, K2AV]

I would just like to see signal strength, including noise, in absolute
reference levels. In particular when listening to a local while turning a
beam kind of thing.  Although that can be done relatively with the audio
voltage level, it wouldn't allow me to tell a local that his ground wave
signal has gone down 3 db and is staying there, or be able to create data
for studies over time.  

Since it is an SDW, such is possible.  dBuv is fine.  Might need linearity
points as part of the package which could be calibrated with a precision
attenuator. 


Changing the functionality of the BG or SM commands so they could provide
greater resolution *would* break software, which is what I was saying. But
while I can see that having software access to the dBm reading could be
useful for antenna measurement purposes, given the vagaries of propagation I
would have thought that a 1 S-unit resolution was perfectly adequate for
normal purposes. I cannot see how it would be more useful to be told I am
S6.5 rather than S6 or S7, or even S5 or S8! Whatever the reading is it is
going to be different 20 seconds later anyway.


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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Julian, G4ILO]

ab2tc wrote:
> 
> 
> Adding a new command for a dBm report would not break any existing
> software. A resolution of 1 S unit or 5dB is really unsatisfactory.
> 
> 
Changing the functionality of the BG or SM commands so they could provide
greater resolution *would* break software, which is what I was saying. But
while I can see that having software access to the dBm reading could be
useful for antenna measurement purposes, given the vagaries of propagation I
would have thought that a 1 S-unit resolution was perfectly adequate for
normal purposes. I cannot see how it would be more useful to be told I am
S6.5 rather than S6 or S7, or even S5 or S8! Whatever the reading is it is
going to be different 20 seconds later anyway.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham
Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Craig]

Hi

We might as well cover all bases and have a DBuv scale. Most professional test 
receivers today use a Dbuv signal strength scale. 


73
Craig
VK3HE

--- On Fri, 10/31/08, ab2tc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> From: ab2tc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Friday, October 31, 2008, 8:01 AM
> Hi,
> 
> Adding a new command for a dBm report would not break any
> existing software.
> A resolution of 1 S unit or 5dB is really unsatisfactory.
> 
> 
> 
> Jan Erik Holm wrote:
> > 
> > Yes dBm, I would like that.
> > 
> > / Jim SM2EKM
> > -
> > Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> >> 
> >> Jan Erik Holm wrote:
> >>> Can this be changed?
> >>>
> >> It would break all existing software if it was.
> >> 
> >>snip
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> -
> AB2TC - Knut
> -- 
> View this message in context:
> http://n2.nabble.com/Bigger-K3-S-meter-tp1399030p1402802.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[ab2tc]

Hi,

Adding a new command for a dBm report would not break any existing software.
A resolution of 1 S unit or 5dB is really unsatisfactory.



Jan Erik Holm wrote:
> 
> Yes dBm, I would like that.
> 
> / Jim SM2EKM
> -
> Julian, G4ILO wrote:
>> 
>> Jan Erik Holm wrote:
>>> Can this be changed?
>>>
>> It would break all existing software if it was.
>> 
>>snip
> 
> 


-
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Jan Erik Holm]

Yes dBm, I would like that.

/ Jim SM2EKM
-
Julian, G4ILO wrote:


Jan Erik Holm wrote:

Can this be changed?


It would break all existing software if it was.

As the K3 is capable of displaying a signal strength reading in dBm it would
seem feasible to add a new command that would allow software to access this
value. But there are probably still higher priority things on the firmware
"to do" list.




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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Julian, G4ILO]

Jan Erik Holm wrote:
> 
> Can this be changed?
> 
It would break all existing software if it was.

As the K3 is capable of displaying a signal strength reading in dBm it would
seem feasible to add a new command that would allow software to access this
value. But there are probably still higher priority things on the firmware
"to do" list.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham
Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.

[AD6XY]

Personally I would use the SDR-IQ as it is so much more powerful than an
audio based system. Of the audio systems, LP-PAN is possibly the best
available for the K3 at the moment. 

You might also consider, if it is so important to you to have your PC screen
uncluttered, getting a second small monitor to dedicate to the spectrum
display. Small monitors of around 7" are readily available for use in cars.
XP/Linux will drive them OK in addition to the main monitor. Apart from your
knowledge this will be indistinguishable from a stand alone display.

Mike

 

Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> Ralph Parker wrote:
>> 
>> What I REALLY want is a stand-alone spectrum display (think 756 PRO).
>> That's the main reason I'm keeping the Pro III for 6m.
>> 
> I'd like one too. Though I'd settle for a soundcard based one that didn't
> come with a whole screenful of SDR software attached to it so I could
> stick it in a corner of the screen and still have room for my logging
> program and datamode software.
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Jan Erik Holm]

Can this be changed?

/ SM2EKM
-
Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:



No.  The SM; (and BG;) reports from the K3 are one S-unit 
increments from S0 to S9 and 5 dB steps above S9. 





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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.

[ab2tc]

Hi Julian,

Don't count out LP-PAN. True, it needs PowerSDR-IF, but it will not take the
whole screen. Even the full display takes only about a quarter of my screen
(1680x1050), but I can get rid of everything below and to the right of the
panadapter display if I wish. I don't do that though because then I lose the
individual band select buttons that so many people are whining about missing
from the K3 front panel (and a whole bunch of other useful features, too). I
admit they are handy. The panadapter display is simply gorgeous and I think
there is universal agreement that it beats anything else out there including
the Pro III. I'll send screen shots to anybody interested.


Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> Ralph Parker wrote:
>> 
>> What I REALLY want is a stand-alone spectrum display (think 756 PRO).
>> That's the main reason I'm keeping the Pro III for 6m.
>> 
> I'd like one too. Though I'd settle for a soundcard based one that didn't
> come with a whole screenful of SDR software attached to it so I could
> stick it in a corner of the screen and still have room for my logging
> program and datamode software.
> 


-
AB2TC - Knut
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RE: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> Anyway, since you do external software for the K3, can you 
> confirm that an S-meter displayed on the PC could get signal 
> strength data from the K3 that has a fine enough granularity 
> to show a change of 1 or 2 dB?

No.  The SM; (and BG;) reports from the K3 are one S-unit 
increments from S0 to S9 and 5 dB steps above S9. 





> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of K7TV
> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 6:02 PM
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> 
> 
> 
> Julian, 
> 
> I tend to use S-meters more for purposes other than for 
> giving signal reports, but when I do give a signal report I 
> prefer to make it an honest one and update it later in the 
> qso. When I get a non-real report of 599 e.g. from a dx, it 
> kind of neutralizes the joy of having made the contact. I 
> think Elecraft and TT (and in the past Collins) deserve 
> credit for providing meaningful S-meter scales. I think the 
> biggest problem today with the existing S-meter standard is 
> that the same standard is applied to each HF/MF band, with an 
> abrupt change for VHF. A separate S9 definition for each band 
> would make more sense because of different average noise 
> levels. Sometimes in the past I have gone by the standard for 
> 40 and down, and deliberately inflated the readings on the 
> higher bands by switching on the preamp consistently for 
> those bands. Of course if one uses a separate receive 
> antenna, one may need to adjust reports for that. Given all 
> possible adjustments, one might want to be able to set a dB 
> offset individually for each band, and I am sure that the K3 
> could do that, although I would not push for it as a priority.
> 
> Anyway, since you do external software for the K3, can you 
> confirm that an S-meter displayed on the PC could get signal 
> strength data from the K3 that has a fine enough granularity 
> to show a change of 1 or 2 dB?
> 
> Thanks,
> Erik K7TV
> 
> Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > K7TV wrote:
> >> 
> >> Are you referring to the K3's ability to display audio 
> output level 
> >> in mV or "dbV"? While mere signal reports can reasonably 
> be given by 
> >> ear, I have measurement in my blood and really appreciate that K3 
> >> capability.
> >> 
> > I think signal reports are more politics or psychology than 
> science. 
> > If someone gives me 599 it's only good manners to send 599 
> back. It's 
> > just the way I was brought up. :) If they send something other than 
> > 599 then I realise that they are actually giving me a real 
> report, so 
> > I try to give them a real one back. But since signals can 
> often vary 
> > from S7 to S9+20 over the period of a QSO I think the idea 
> of giving 
> > realistic signal reports is actually unachievable anyway.
> > 
> 
> -- 
> View this message in context: 
> http://n2.nabble.com/Bigger-K3-S-meter-tp1399030p1400685.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

Julian, 

I tend to use S-meters more for purposes other than for giving signal
reports, but when I do give a signal report I prefer to make it an honest
one and update it later in the qso. When I get a non-real report of 599 e.g.
from a dx, it kind of neutralizes the joy of having made the contact. I
think Elecraft and TT (and in the past Collins) deserve credit for providing
meaningful S-meter scales. I think the biggest problem today with the
existing S-meter standard is that the same standard is applied to each HF/MF
band, with an abrupt change for VHF. A separate S9 definition for each band
would make more sense because of different average noise levels. Sometimes
in the past I have gone by the standard for 40 and down, and deliberately
inflated the readings on the higher bands by switching on the preamp
consistently for those bands. Of course if one uses a separate receive
antenna, one may need to adjust reports for that. Given all possible
adjustments, one might want to be able to set a dB offset individually for
each band, and I am sure that the K3 could do that, although I would not
push for it as a priority.

Anyway, since you do external software for the K3, can you confirm that an
S-meter displayed on the PC could get signal strength data from the K3 that
has a fine enough granularity to show a change of 1 or 2 dB?

Thanks,
Erik K7TV

Julian, G4ILO wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> K7TV wrote:
>> 
>> Are you referring to the K3's ability to display audio output level in mV
>> or "dbV"?
>> While mere signal reports can reasonably be given by ear, I have
>> measurement in my blood and really appreciate that K3 capability.
>> 
> I think signal reports are more politics or psychology than science. If
> someone gives me 599 it's only good manners to send 599 back. It's just
> the way I was brought up. :) If they send something other than 599 then I
> realise that they are actually giving me a real report, so I try to give
> them a real one back. But since signals can often vary from S7 to S9+20
> over the period of a QSO I think the idea of giving realistic signal
> reports is actually unachievable anyway.
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.

[Julian, G4ILO]

Ralph Parker wrote:
> 
> What I REALLY want is a stand-alone spectrum display (think 756 PRO).
> That's the main reason I'm keeping the Pro III for 6m.
> 
I'd like one too. Though I'd settle for a soundcard based one that didn't
come with a whole screenful of SDR software attached to it so I could stick
it in a corner of the screen and still have room for my logging program and
datamode software.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham
Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Julian, G4ILO]

K7TV wrote:
> 
> Are you referring to the K3's ability to display audio output level in mV
> or "dbV"?
> While mere signal reports can reasonably be given by ear, I have
> measurement in my blood and really appreciate that K3 capability.
> 
I think signal reports are more politics or psychology than science. If
someone gives me 599 it's only good manners to send 599 back. It's just the
way I was brought up. :) If they send something other than 599 then I
realise that they are actually giving me a real report, so I try to give
them a real one back. But since signals can often vary from S7 to S9+20 over
the period of a QSO I think the idea of giving realistic signal reports is
actually unachievable anyway.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham
Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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RE: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> MacLoggerDx has an S-meter and has for all rigs :-)

As does DXLab Suite (CI-V Commander).  I have updated 
the K3 S-meter definition file for use with the extended 
mode command responses and AA6YQ has updated the next 
release of Commander to make use of the extended response 
modes. 



> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David 
> Ferrington, M0XDF
> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 2:03 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> 
> 
> MacLoggerDx has an S-meter and has for all rigs :-)
> 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
> --  

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

Are you referring to the K3's ability to display audio output level in mV or
"dbV"?
While mere signal reports can reasonably be given by ear, I have measurement
in my blood and really appreciate that K3 capability. When I am not in a
hurry, it is good for something like looking at filter response. However, it
works best with the AGC turned off, which is a bit of a pain, and if I am
peaking something I want to see analog movement, not numbers! That said, if
the K3 were to acquire a capability to display RF input signal strength as a
number, that would surely be very useful for something.

If a program on a computer is the only way to see an S-meter showing small
fluctuations of a dB or so, I might break down and finally install that
program, which I assume is some kind of rig control program.
After 45 years of hamming and being a computer engineer and just a casual
contester, I have never wanted rig control by computer. PC's just aren't
reliable enough, especially with Windows. Oh well, I will probably have to
cave in soon just to get a panoramic display...

Erik K7TV




Guy, K2AV wrote:
> 
> Wasn't there a way or going to be a way to display or send absolute dBm
> for signal strength. That could just be a program running and getting
> reports from the K3 over the serial port. Integer dBm would tell you
> everything you needed to know. 
> 
> 73, Guy.
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Guy, K2AV]

Wasn't there a way or going to be a way to display or send absolute dBm for
signal strength. That could just be a program running and getting reports
from the K3 over the serial port. Integer dBm would tell you everything you
needed to know. 

73, Guy.
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RE: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[K7TV]

I find the K3 S-meter a wonderful contrast to those other rigs I have had
where I had to mentally compensate for the terrible non-linearity (in dB),
i.e. S9=S9, S8=S8, S7=S7, S5=S6, S1=S5 and nothing below the real S5 even
moves the meter. I haven't even begun to play with the AGC settings in the
K3, but all the recent firmware releases seem to provide good S-meter
readings without this mental translation. 

That said, I have run into a situation where I actually miss the meter on
the old 1000D. That is when I try to turn the beam for maximum signal
strength on a station I don't know the location of. As far as I can see, the
K3 displays signal strength only in whole S-units, whereas I would find it
useful to see changes smaller than that. I even miss the wildly exaggerated
meter swings that you get in the lower part of the scale on a typical bad
S-meter; they are just easier to see at a glance. Perhaps it would be useful
to have a firmware option to just expand the K3 S-meter to something like 1
or 2 dB per tick on the scale. Of course I would have to use the RF gain
control to bring the reading into the smaller range of the expanded scale,
and then restore the normal S-meter scale for giving reports. Maybe I could
achieve this expanded S-meter scale through an alternative AGC setting,
available at the touch of a button?

73,
Erik K7TV



Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> 
> And very few S-meters worked at all in CW mode since the BFO wasn't
> isolated
> from the AGC, so the AGC (and so the S-meter) was Off.
>  
> Over the years contesters have brought some sanity to the S-number: ignore
> the meter and send "5NN". 
>  
> The audio output voltage and dB comparison measurement displays available
> on
> the K3 are far superior to an "S-meter" for serious signal strength
> measurements and comparisons.
>  
> Ron AC7AC
>  
>  
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 11:30 AM
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> 
> 
> I'm not sure that I understand the fascination of larger S meters, I
> totally ignore mine. But back in the days of my ill spent youth, when
> radios glowed in the dark, I owned a Hallicrafters SX-96 which had
> an S meter that must have occupied at least a quarter of the front
> panel, and went to "80 db over 9" if my memory serves me well.
> Man could you give great signal reports.."ur 70 db over 9 but
> pls agn ur name" and S-9 meant that the other station was audible.
>  
> Doug
> W6JD
> 
> 
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[Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.

[Ralph Parker]

>I'm not sure that I understand the fascination of larger S meters...

Nor I.
I usually give reports by ear anyway.

What I REALLY want is a stand-alone spectrum display (think 756 PRO).
That's the main reason I'm keeping the Pro III for 6m.

VE7XF

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RE: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

And very few S-meters worked at all in CW mode since the BFO wasn't isolated
from the AGC, so the AGC (and so the S-meter) was Off.
 
Over the years contesters have brought some sanity to the S-number: ignore
the meter and send "5NN". 
 
The audio output voltage and dB comparison measurement displays available on
the K3 are far superior to an "S-meter" for serious signal strength
measurements and comparisons.
 
Ron AC7AC
 
 

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 11:30 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter


I'm not sure that I understand the fascination of larger S meters, I
totally ignore mine. But back in the days of my ill spent youth, when
radios glowed in the dark, I owned a Hallicrafters SX-96 which had
an S meter that must have occupied at least a quarter of the front
panel, and went to "80 db over 9" if my memory serves me well.
Man could you give great signal reports.."ur 70 db over 9 but
pls agn ur name" and S-9 meant that the other station was audible.
 
Doug
W6JD

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[w6jd]

I'm not sure that I understand the fascination of larger S meters, I
totally ignore mine. But back in the days of my ill spent youth, when
radios glowed in the dark, I owned a Hallicrafters SX-96 which had
an S meter that must have occupied at least a quarter of the front
panel, and went to "80 db over 9" if my memory serves me well.
Man could you give great signal reports.."ur 70 db over 9 but
pls agn ur name" and S-9 meant that the other station was audible.

Doug
W6JD

-- Original message -- 
From: David Fleming <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 

> Hi Greg, 
> 
> Well, yes, it could be integrated into PowerSDR, or any other rig control app 
> where the source code is available. But then it would go from being a trivial 
> programming task to a major project... for me anyway. :) 
> 
> David, W4SMT 
> 
> 
> --- On Thu, 10/30/08, Greg - AB7R wrote: 
> 
> > From: Greg - AB7R 
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter 
> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, "David Fleming" 
> > Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 1:28 PM 
> > David, 
> > 
> > What about using it through Larry's LP-PAN? That way 
> > the serial data could be used 
> > for other functions at the same time. 
> > 
> > - 
> > 73, 
> > Greg - AB7R 
> > Whidbey Island WA 
> > NA-065 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Julian, G4ILO]

David Fleming-2 wrote:
> 
> Hi Greg,
> 
> Well, yes, it could be integrated into PowerSDR, or any other rig control
> app where the source code is available. But then it would go from being a
> trivial programming task to a major project... for me anyway. :)
> 
> David, W4SMT
> 
> 
I could fairly easily add a giant S-meter window to KComm since I'm
displaying a graphical version of it already, but to be honest this strikes
me as a bit of an odd request. My eyesight is pretty poor now, too, but with
my specs on, which I need in order to be able to read any of the controls on
the radio, focus on the computer screen and the keyboard I can see the
original perfectly clearly. If you can't read the meter how can you operate
the K3 at all?

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.ham-directory.com/ Ham
Directoryhttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[David Ferrington, M0XDF]

MacLoggerDx has an S-meter and has for all rigs :-)
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
--  
Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the
same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least  
twice

as fast as that! -Lewis Carroll, mathematician and writer (1832-1898)

On 30 Oct 2008, at 17:55, David Fleming wrote:


Hi Greg,

Well, yes, it could be integrated into PowerSDR, or any other rig  
control app where the source code is available. But then it would go  
from being a trivial programming task to a major project... for me  
anyway. :)


David, W4SMT


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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[David Fleming]

Hi Greg,

Well, yes, it could be integrated into PowerSDR, or any other rig control app 
where the source code is available. But then it would go from being a trivial 
programming task to a major project... for me anyway. :)

David, W4SMT


--- On Thu, 10/30/08, Greg - AB7R <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> From: Greg - AB7R <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, "David Fleming" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 1:28 PM
> David,
> 
> What about using it through Larry's LP-PAN?  That way
> the serial data could be used 
> for other functions at the same time.
> 
> -
> 73,
> Greg - AB7R
> Whidbey Island WA
> NA-065

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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Greg - AB7R]

David,

What about using it through Larry's LP-PAN?  That way the serial data could be 
used 
for other functions at the same time.

-
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065


On Thu Oct 30 10:15 , David Fleming  sent:

>--- On Thu, 10/30/08, Lee Buller [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> With a little programming ... someone could come up with an
>> S-Meter that would fill the screen of a computer.  
>
>This could be easily done. Maybe have the size adjustable.. be able to select 
digital, bargraph or analog even. :)
>
>If there's enough interest, I'd be glad to whip it up. It would tie up the 
>K3's 
serial port.
>
>David, W4SMT
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[David Fleming]

--- On Thu, 10/30/08, Lee Buller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> With a little programming ... someone could come up with an
> S-Meter that would fill the screen of a computer.  

This could be easily done. Maybe have the size adjustable.. be able to select 
digital, bargraph or analog even. :)

If there's enough interest, I'd be glad to whip it up. It would tie up the K3's 
serial port.

David, W4SMT




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Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Lee Buller]

Don,

With a little programming ... someone could come up with an S-Meter that would 
fill the screen of a computer.  I have the same problem and thought about doing 
that.  Interesting solution you have.

Lee - K0WA


In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't 
have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find 
any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is 
Common Sense divine?

--- On Thu, 10/30/08, Don Rasmussen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From: Don Rasmussen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter
To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" 
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2008, 10:26 AM

For those like me with 50 year old eyes, here are some suggestions for making
the K3 S-meter easier to read. Scroll down to the bottom. ;-)

http://tinyurl.com/58qg5a
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[Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter

[Don Rasmussen]

For those like me with 50 year old eyes, here are some suggestions for making 
the K3 S-meter easier to read. Scroll down to the bottom. ;-)

http://tinyurl.com/58qg5a
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