Collins and some other manufacturers at one time tried to establish a
standard where S9 would be 50 microvolts, and each S unit below that level
would be 6 dB lower.  But the number of dB per S unit has varied over the
years.  On my FT-950, and probably on your FT-450, each change by one S unit
is 3 dB, which isn't a lot.  Even the 6 dB change you are describing is only
going to be audible with the RF gain partway down, so that the AGC doesn't
level out the signals.  In that condition, the S meter will read higher than
the real signal strength, so you can't really take readings and listen to
the signal without AGC at the same time.

You wouldn't want a 950 for the roofing filter.  You would want it for some
of its other characteristics, such as more choices of receiver bandwidth.  

Lately I have been setting my 950's power output by having the "custom
settings" button adjusted for power output.  In other words, I can always go
to that item in the menus and then adjust the power level using the VFO B
knob.  Four revolutions of the knob are required to go from 100 watts down
to 5.  I drive my linear with about 40 watts.  I think that I could adjust
power with HRD and Window-Eyes, but I need to experiment with this again and
let you know if I succeed.  

If I was starting over with a little more money I might get a TS-590 or
FTDX-5000, mostly because of their better receivers.  But I haven't touched
either of those rigs and am not sure about the ergonomics.
And that's tonight's column!
73,
Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, Maryland
Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
> Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 8:51 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: My Column for today
> 
> Hi All:=20
> 
> I was just looking at my S Meter, well, listening to the read out! HIHI, =
> and even though it fluctuated between S-7 to 9, I couldn't really hear =
> the difference.=20
> How many are in the same boat? Take into consideration the band noise =
> and so on. I think on a perfect noise floor level, than I might be able =
> to detect it.=20
> I'm just posting this comment because there's so much hipe on the S =
> number given and I think if most didn't really look or press the buttons =
> to announce the meter, we wouldn't be able to really tell the difference =
> between an S7 or S-9. I know I can't! (HIHI) =20
> I was also thinking in terms of  a remote upgrade. Yes I'm dreaming =
> again! LOL Drop in an Alpha 9500, which requires a min of 25W of drive =
> to properly load it before increasing to 60 for max output at 9600CAN,=20=
> 
> an Acom 2000A which would cost around the same and requirements, or the =
> 1K which would cost about 5500CAN.=20
> The common ground on these solutions is that my exciters drive would =
> have to be set at 25, in the case of the Alpha and Acom because I can't =
> adjust the HRD RF power slider and 40 in the case of the 1K.=20
> So essentially I'd be paying between 5500 to  9600 for 750W in the case =
> of the Alpha and Acom 2000A and 1K in the case of the 1K.=20
> Now that's also keeping my FT-450 as the exciter. Now I love this rig =
> but I think after playing with it for a year, there's a reason for the =
> 3KHZ roofing filter, which I wish I had, would have if I opted for that =
> filter instead of voice, in the FT-950. =20
> So now I need an exciter upgrade. Add 1800 or so for the 950. I'm now at =
> 7300 to 11400 for 750 or 1K. I don't think its really worth it. Might be =
> better to buy the FTDX-9000MP which would give me 400W with out having =
> to worry about increasing or decrease drive to tune and I'd get all =
> display functions from an HRD screen. I don't think the difference =
> between the FTDX9000MP vs the Alpha, Acom 2000A,  left at 750, or the 1K =
> for that matter, would be heard, only seen on a meter about an S unit.
> =20=
> 
> Just my column for today! LOL=20
> 
> 73:=20
> 
> Michael De VO1RYN