adding a Signal strength meter
Page 1 of 1
adding a Signal strength meter
I am quoting from the radio amateurs handbook 1968 pg 110:
The simplest tuning indicator is a milliammeter connected in the d.c. plate lead of an a.g.c. controlled r.f. or i.f. stage. Since the plate current is reduced as the a.g.c. becomes higher with a strong signal, the plate current is the measure of the signal strength.
The meter can have a 0-1,0-2 or 0-5 ma. movement and it should be shunted by a 25-ohm rheostat which is used to set the no-signal reading to full scale on the meter.
If a forward reading meter is desired, the meter can be mounted upside down.
The simplest tuning indicator is a milliammeter connected in the d.c. plate lead of an a.g.c. controlled r.f. or i.f. stage. Since the plate current is reduced as the a.g.c. becomes higher with a strong signal, the plate current is the measure of the signal strength.
The meter can have a 0-1,0-2 or 0-5 ma. movement and it should be shunted by a 25-ohm rheostat which is used to set the no-signal reading to full scale on the meter.
If a forward reading meter is desired, the meter can be mounted upside down.
Resistance is Futile- Member
- Number of posts : 913
Registration date : 2008-03-12
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Something blew up here, Cliff. I tried responding and until you answered, the post was off limits. I now see your post but all the previous ones are gone????
N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
oops My mistake and I just tried to delete my topic but instead deleted the whole thing. I wondered why I couldn't find it. There is no back button or undo button either.

Resistance is Futile- Member
- Number of posts : 913
Registration date : 2008-03-12
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
It happens. Hopefully the OP will re-post. I was just getting confused because I was going to respond and the thread was gone. Also, wasn't his post in another area? Just curious, so I can watch for his re-posting.
Anyway, we have information on S-meters.
Anyway, we have information on S-meters.

N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
ahh! :-) ok no problem repeat again the link whit photo and schematic diagram.-) Thanks luciano
http://albums.photoonweb.com/l/luciano61/RX_Tubes_ssb_/
http://albums.photoonweb.com/l/luciano61/RX_Tubes_ssb_/
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Glad we are back on track.
The pictures document a well detailed account of your build. Good construction techniques.
As Cliff posted, that is the general approach to the s meters. If you have the ARRL Radio Amateurs handbook that you got the receiver schematic from, look up "S" meters for details. I checked my 1944 Handbook and they had discussions and explanations in there. I'd stay away from a solid state/tube hybrid for the meter.
Welcome back.

The pictures document a well detailed account of your build. Good construction techniques.
As Cliff posted, that is the general approach to the s meters. If you have the ARRL Radio Amateurs handbook that you got the receiver schematic from, look up "S" meters for details. I checked my 1944 Handbook and they had discussions and explanations in there. I'd stay away from a solid state/tube hybrid for the meter.
Welcome back.

N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
hello Bill! Hello Cliff..in this moment work this circuit s meter ..(sig..solid state)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90909458@N02/8287960498/in/photostream
it's connect on "in" filter collins 455 :-)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90909458@N02/8287960498/in/photostream
it's connect on "in" filter collins 455 :-)
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
The base and collector of the transistor fluctuate/change with the audio??
N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
hello! No ..the s'meter is no fluctuate whit audio bat whit signal receiver..bat ..is not very sensitive :-(
this circuit is t connect pin 5 6ba6 (pin filter collins)
up CAV (AVC) ...no work!
this circuit is t connect pin 5 6ba6 (pin filter collins)
up CAV (AVC) ...no work!
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
I'm not familiar with that IC, but looking at the spec sheet it appears it was design around a 10.7 MHZ IF. Did you design the circuit? Might want to go with the approach Cliff mentioned. If you have an old handbook, say 1959, there should be information on S meter circuits. (might have already mentioned this, but posts were deleted).
N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
ok Bill! I did .. (there are 3 different pregetti change that) I also tried the 12AU7 but it was not very sensitive too.
http://www.ardf.info/tecnica/ic2ti2xjw/ic2t/S'meter-455Kc.jpg
I found this pattern .. and I installed a "spider web"! Perfect ..! Antenna disconnected the instrument is still zero. Ssb signals are handled by the circuit, and then by strument perfectly.
Now I'll just make 'PCB. Bill .. Thanks! I'll send 'early video of the work done :-)
http://www.ardf.info/tecnica/ic2ti2xjw/ic2t/S'meter-455Kc.jpg
I found this pattern .. and I installed a "spider web"! Perfect ..! Antenna disconnected the instrument is still zero. Ssb signals are handled by the circuit, and then by strument perfectly.
Now I'll just make 'PCB. Bill .. Thanks! I'll send 'early video of the work done :-)
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Great and post the results !
N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
hello, this is S'meter ..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90909458@N02/8291895152/in/photostream/
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
and .. the video
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90909458@N02/8291957600/in/photostream
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Excellent and it seems to work fine! Congratulations.
N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
thanks Bill! :-)
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Hey. Great radio there! You did an outstanding job!
I am most proud of people like you.
You had it in you to build this difficult set. I couldn't have done it.
Great work!
How about putting in a 5" speaker, and, building a front panel for it.
?
Maybe done in blue, or, black steel??
It would really dress it up, and, should help with audio quality.
Radio is fantastic!
Bill Cahill
I am most proud of people like you.
You had it in you to build this difficult set. I couldn't have done it.
Great work!
How about putting in a 5" speaker, and, building a front panel for it.
?
Maybe done in blue, or, black steel??
It would really dress it up, and, should help with audio quality.
Radio is fantastic!
Bill Cahill
_________________
Please also join us here; www.videokarma.org/index.php
Bill Cahill- Admin
- Number of posts : 4423
Age : 69
Registration date : 2008-03-12
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Hello Bill! .. can you give me some advice? The CAV and IL CAG does not go very well you have an idea? :-) Thanks luciano
lucianopep- New Member
- Number of posts : 8
Registration date : 2012-12-17
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
Excuse my stupidity, but, may I ask what those letters stand for?
Cav, and, IL CAG are unfamiliar words to me.
Bill Cahill
Cav, and, IL CAG are unfamiliar words to me.
Bill Cahill
_________________
Please also join us here; www.videokarma.org/index.php
Bill Cahill- Admin
- Number of posts : 4423
Age : 69
Registration date : 2008-03-12
Re: adding a Signal strength meter
The CAV and IL CAG does not go very well you have an idea?
Yes, please clarify what the CAV and IL CAG means?
N7ZAL- Member
- Number of posts : 493
Registration date : 2011-11-05
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|