Of course, you could make a receiver with very nearly true logarithmic
response, by use of one of the excellent, wide dynamic range log amps
which are available these days. But however much you or I might like
one, the vast majority of amateurs couldn't care less about what their
S meter is really indicating, so they wouldn't pay the added cost for
it.

On top of that, most amateurs would consider a 6dB-per-S-unit meter to
be "dead", and would rather have it wiggle more.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL


So true, that last part! Well, I certainly understand the non-
linearity of the RX when comparing gain accross the entire HF spectrum.
I tend to limit my operations to top band and 75, so I hadn't considered
changes in Rx gain when moving down the band (or up, as some would have
it). Currently, when I do an Rx calibration, I just take some readings
on my "S" meter when injecting a signal in the bands of my concern. A
"list" of these readings for each band suffices, although I agree with
you that that is far more than most hams would bother with.


Ed , K7AAT