Want is the latest consensus on S-Meter reading? 10db too high or not?

K4EAR

Let's compare an RF carrier input with a Flex 5000 and a 6XXX see what the difference is. Inject a -73dbm signal, S-9, same bandwidth, which is right or wrong? PSDR or Smart SDR or does anyone see the same since we have a hover over dbm option with 13.10? Or is the S-meter gonna vary when you expand or contract the panadapter? I would think it would be relative to the rx slice.

W5XZ - dan

i agree, it's 10db too generous...think it's on the mend, though..73

K4EAR

Waiting for the Flex guys to put this to rest...

Al K0VM

As far as I Know, Flex is aware of the 10db error between actual signal and S-meter... The receiver slice s-meter readings should only dependent on the signals/noise within the slice bandpass.. Changing the panadapter span may change the noise floor on the dispaly but the slice noise floor should not change... Think of the panadapter as a receiver seperate from the slice that is only used for graphical display. The slice artifacts are overlaid on the panadapter graphics for visial presentation. AL, K0VM

K4EAR

I understand Al, this was a "bump" to catch the attention on the group and grease the squeaky wheel, so to speak...

Tim - W4TME

This issue has been previously addressed in the community http://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/s_meter_still_reads_10_dbm_high

Steve-N5AC

We found the problem here. Before we had full calibration in the radio, a fudge factor was applied to the meter. After full calibrations were added, we forgot to remove the fudge factor. It has now been removed and should be in an upcoming version of the software.

K4EAR

Thanks so much, the Flex radios can be a spectrum analyzer and valuable tool for many tests going forward.