| Author |
Message |
    
Alleycat
Junior Member
Username: Alleycat
Post Number: 13
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 3:15 am: | 
|
Does anyone know of an external S-Meter for the RCI 5054. I don't care for the bar meter. I can't give accurate meter reports out. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5855
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 8:26 am: |
|
Allycat,
Sorry but I know of No external S-meter.
If you want to give the UTMOST ACCURATE REPORT use the RST System.
There is NOTHING on the Market or any Meter in Any Radio that is more Accurate. 
R = READABILITY
1 -- Unreadable
2 -- Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable
3 -- Readable with considerable difficulty
4 -- Readable with practically no difficulty
5 -- Perfectly readable
S = SIGNAL STRENGTH
1 -- Faint signals, barely perceptible
2 -- Very weak signals
3 -- Weak signals
4 -- Fair signals
5 -- Fairly good signals
6 -- Good signals
7 -- Moderately strong signals
8 -- Strong signals
9 -- Extremely strong signals
T = TONE
1 -- Sixty cycle a.c. or less, very rough and broad
2 -- Very rough a.c. , very harsh and broad
3 -- Rough a.c. tone, rectified but not filtered
4 -- Rough note, some trace of filtering
5 -- Filtered rectified a.c. but strongly ripple-modulated
6 -- Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation
7 -- Near pure tone, trace of ripple modulation
8 -- Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation
9 -- Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind.
Hope this help's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
|
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2722
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 9:24 am: |
|
Yep nothing beats HEARING that DX! |
Hollowpoint445
Intermediate Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 315
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 2:08 pm: |
|
The Workman MD-4 is a large external meter you might be able to adapt to the 5054DX. I've read instructions about how to adapt it to the 257 on the web, and I would imagine it's pretty similar.
Aside from that, nearly any S-meter from a junked CB would probably work if you just substitute it for the bar graph. A small variable potentiometer would provide adjustment/calibration.
If you want both the internal and external meters to work you might have to build a small amplifier circuit and tap the existing S-meter circuit in the radio.
I briefly owned a 2950 and I've owned 2510's for a long time. After a short time you become accustomed to the bar graph and can give a close approximation. You could also tell the person you're speaking with what kind of radio you own and what the bar graph is showing. If they're familiar with it they'll appreciate the info.
|
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5861
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 5:41 pm: |
|
Alleycat,
Just a Side note,
No matter what your radio S-meter is showing it will depend on your Antenna and complete station set up as to what your radio or a meter will show.
Example; if I am on the Imax it may show an S-3 Signal but be loud and clear and if I switch to the beams at point them at the person I am talking with it may show an S-9 signal and they will still be loud & clear.
Same radio, Same setup, Different Antenna.
Corncob CEF #166 is less than 1/8 mile from me and I always have different readings than he does and sometimes as much as 3 or 4 s-units showing on a meter with both of us using an Imax.
His antenna is under 26' to the bottom of the IMAX and mine is at 36' to the bottom of the IMAX.
We both use the same GP kits but I modified mine.
So which meter is correct if we are both talking with the same person at the same time in a qso?
That is why I will NEVER trust or go by what any meter in any radio says.
No matter what a meter shows you, just tell the people you are talking with Exactly what you are actually hearing using the RST system. 
If you use the RST System you will NEVER be WRONG and you will Always be 100% CORRECT on your Signal Reports.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN  |
Alleycat
Junior Member
Username: Alleycat
Post Number: 14
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 3:01 am: |
|
Thanks all. I'm new to all this "report" stuff. I listen to others CQing and hear "your 9 plus 20 over" and I can't go there. I agree with what you are saying about the RST system after giving it some thought. It's true that on 38 LSB some people only hit me with a few pounds or less yet they are crystal clear and some one else will hit me with a ton and I have a hard time understanding them.
As for installing a meter from another radio, I had thought of that but I would have to have some one else do the work. I just don't get electronics. Electricity yes. It moves in a circle and has to get back to where it started from. But a diode, transister or mouse turd with a wire sticking out of it all look the same to me.
Thanks again |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 827
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 10:58 pm: |
|
alleycat, on my 5054, if i have no problem copying 'em, they're 5 x 9, if i am just pulling out most of what they say, they're 3 x 3. if i can't hear 'em, then i just say 'what? i can't hear you!'.
of course, my ic735 very clearly shows you right up to 60 over 9, & the magnum S9 meter is pretty good too. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 956
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 7:16 am: |
|
Down with bar code meters! Give me the large scale analog meter. It's worth an extra $100.
Mikefromms |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 652
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
|
I have never trusted S-meters. Why? simply because there is no standard to them. A signal of a set voltage level (say 0.1uV) will shows as S9 on one radio but on another radio it may show as 60 over or either S3.
As others have said stick to the RST, give an honest evaluation and you cannot go wrong.
My TS-520 receives well and I have worked stations that were quiet readable (4-5s) when the S-meter was not moving off the 0. My report to them - 5 x 9. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4228
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 6:05 am: |
|
THERE IS A STANDARD ...
It has been there for 60 + years ....
"S" 9 = 100 UV and every "S" unit down from there cuts that in 1/2.
"S" 8 = 50,
"S" 7 = 25uv and so on .......
No one even tries to follow it ..... |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 653
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
|
Bruce - samething. If no one follows it it really is not a standard. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4230
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
|
It IS the standard and every "S" meter should be following it. Without this the meter is NOT a "S" meter just a uncalabrated useless meter ... |
