Not a stupid question at all. I know that accurate S meter readings are usually only available when the RF gain is turned up to full. The signal is taken behind the RF gain, so that as you turn it down, the circuits try harder to get a signal through. This raises the voltage that the meter measures. It sounds wrong, but that's my understanding of the process anyway. Then again I learned that in 1967, so things might be different today. It will be interesting to see if somebody who actually knows the answer responds. H T Kaufman MSW LCSW Adaptive Technology Instructor --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com