W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

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W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

Elecraft mailing list
I just purchased a new Yaesu digital handheld and the power level on the  
440 band is low (2.8 v 5.0 Watts), and was wondering if I can trust the W2's  
accuracy? Another mobile higher powered transceiver also reads low on all
power  levels on the 440 band.
 
I built the kit version of the W2 and have the VHF/UHF  coupler....
 
Why is there a +/- calibration button on the PC interface if the unit is  
calibrated properly?
 
I can send my HT back to be tested and exchanged if it isn't making specs  
but don't want to be told that
my wattmeter reading was inaccurate!
 
73's Michael
n2zdb
 
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Re: W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

wd8qwr
That would depend on what kind of digital you are talking about. I don't
think the W2 reads instantaneous peak power. That usually takes special
circuitry to do . Hint: a digital slug for a bird 43 wattmeter costs way
more than the meter does. Analog meters will not read properly in a
digital environment. Try the radio in analog mode.

Phil, wd8qwr
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Re: W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

Elecraft mailing list
In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list
Measurement is in analog mode.....should have made that clear or not even  
mentioned a digital radio!
 
Michael
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Re: W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

Michael Walker
The only way to get the answer you wish is to compare it to a bench
standard like a bird watt meter.

Beyond that you are just guessing.   Sorry

Mike va3mw


On Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Michael via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Measurement is in analog mode.....should have made that clear or not even
> mentioned a digital radio!
>
> Michael
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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>
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Re: W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

Elecraft mailing list
In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list
OK so I am trying to measure around 5 Watts or so on the W2's 20 Watt  
scale.  The spec's for the W2 directional couplers are listed at 0.5 dB  
accuracy.  Is this anywhere or just at full scale? How much could it  be off at
only 25% of full scale?
 
Trying to decide if the 2.8 Watts I am reading at 440 MHz on high power is  
too low with a spec of 5 Watts output!  If it is I can send it back to the  
place of purchase to be checked and exchanged if necessary.
 
There seems to be no problem on the 2 Meter band at only 25 % of scale (5  
Watts) reading....just on 440.
 
Michael
n2zdb
 
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 07/30/2017 12:36:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
[hidden email] writes:

 


The accuracy of a Bird Model 43 is +/- 5% of full scale.  The meter  scale
is not
linear and produces the best read accuracy in the bottom portion of the  
meter's
scale.  


There are numerous watt meters on the market today that are more  accurate.
 


FWIW  73!


Ken Kopp - K0PP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
On Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 9:23 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
wrote:

The  only way to get the answer you wish is to compare it to a bench
standard  like a bird watt meter.

Beyond that you are just guessing.   Sorry

Mike va3mw


On Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 11:18 AM,  Michael via Elecraft <
[hidden email]>  wrote:

> Measurement is in analog mode.....should have made that  clear or not even
> mentioned a digital radio!
>
>  Michael




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Re: W2 Wattmeter 440 band accuracy?

Don Wilhelm
Michael,

In general, digital wattmeters have the same accuracy at any point on
the scale - unlike analog wattmeters for which the accuracy is stated as
a percentage of the full scale reading.  On a 20 watt scale, a 25% error
would be up to 4 watts!

You might want to look at the specs for that 440 MHz transmitter as
well.  If it 2.6 dB or so, getting 2.8 watts out for a 5 watt setting
may be what you can expect.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/30/2017 4:59 PM, Michael via Elecraft wrote:

> OK so I am trying to measure around 5 Watts or so on the W2's 20 Watt
> scale.  The spec's for the W2 directional couplers are listed at 0.5 dB
> accuracy.  Is this anywhere or just at full scale? How much could it  be off at
> only 25% of full scale?
>  
> Trying to decide if the 2.8 Watts I am reading at 440 MHz on high power is
> too low with a spec of 5 Watts output!  If it is I can send it back to the
> place of purchase to be checked and exchanged if necessary.
>  
> There seems to be no problem on the 2 Meter band at only 25 % of scale (5
> Watts) reading....just on 440.
>  
> Michael
> n2zdb
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> In a message dated 07/30/2017 12:36:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [hidden email] writes:
>
>  
>
>
> The accuracy of a Bird Model 43 is +/- 5% of full scale.  The meter  scale
> is not
> linear and produces the best read accuracy in the bottom portion of the
> meter's
> scale.
>
>
> There are numerous watt meters on the market today that are more  accurate.
>  
>
>
> FWIW  73!
>
>
> Ken Kopp - K0PP
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------------------
> On Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 9:23 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> The  only way to get the answer you wish is to compare it to a bench
> standard  like a bird watt meter.
>
> Beyond that you are just guessing.   Sorry
>
> Mike va3mw
>
>
> On Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 11:18 AM,  Michael via Elecraft <
> [hidden email]>  wrote:
>
>> Measurement is in analog mode.....should have made that  clear or not even
>> mentioned a digital radio!
>>
>>   Michael
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
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