Abstract: An attenuation measuring system includes a transmitter for generating and transmitting a signal from a first position to a second position, and a receiver adapted to receive the signal at the second position. One of the transmitter and the receiver includes a simple log converter circuit which permits the conversion of an analog signal to a digital signal, so that a time uniform train of pulses is developed, the pulses decreasing in amplitude by equal decibel values. The receiver includes a counter which is counted down from a preset value. The count of the counter is a direct measurement of the loss through a coupling medium between the transmitter and the receiver. The analog-to-digital conversion can be accomplished in either the transmitter or the receiver. When embodied in the receiver, the attenuation meter also can function as an optical power meter.