As far as s meter, if you turn rf gain down, the meter will go up, so if 
you want an accurate reading, you want that open, attenuator off and I 
think on the 590 they calibrate it with pre amp on, although I don't run 
my preamp on 160, 80, or 40.  I don't go on ten meg, that is all that 
strange beeping stuff I used once just long enough to pass my test. 
Couldn't resist, I know some of you love cw, but it never was my cup of 
tea, I had to struggel to finally make 13 wpm.

I haven't used my 590 in a while, but I can look if need be.  I think I 
set the f2 button to read s meter and a l c, if I remember right, there is 
a meter button you press to switch between a l c and swr.  If you hold 
this to long, I think it goes into transverter mode.  Hope I remembered 
all that right.
73
Butch
WA0VJR
Node 3148
Wallace, ks.