more on S-meter readings...]

[Andre' Kesteloot]

"'Geri' Kinzel, DK8KW" wrote:

> Hello Steve,
>
> when I learned for my license at the beginning of the 70ties, I still used
> to learn the old system for S 1 to S 9 reports to be judged by ear. And
> that of course depends very much on the background noise and several other
> factors that are completely depending on the person giving the reprot.
>
> On LF I use a level-meter so I can read the signal strength directly in dBu
> (0 dBu = 0.775 V). I calibrated this relative measurment using a one-meter
> diameter loop so that I sould be able to determine strength in dB
> microVolt/m within +/- 1 dB (still I am missing a couple of dB and don't
> know exactly why ...). As a reference I use the (constant) signal level of
> DCF39, so evem with a pre-amplifier or a different antenna I try to give
> "absolute" dBu-reports for comparison purposes. But off course, if that
> band is quit I can hear a station quite loed and would give it a S7 or 8
> report, when the band is noisy I can barely hear a station that is 20 dB
> stronger, so just by ear I would give an S3 or 4 report by ear. What I try
> to do on LF is to give a subjective RST report plus the dBu value. Also on
> my homepage I list the dBu values, so at least everybody can judge how
> strong his signal is relative to the other stations. So I believe what you
> call S-units above noise comes close to the old S 1 to S 9 scale given by
> ear and reflects more the audible quality of the system than the absolute
> S-value.
>
> Best 73
>
> Geri, DK8KW (W1KW)
> http://www.qru.de