Login  Register

RE: SWR and Power readings RE: K2

Posted by Don Wilhelm-3 on May 25, 2005; 4:28pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/SWR-and-Power-readings-RE-K2-tp378727p378728.html

Chas,

Since you have the KAT2 installed, it may be simply a matter of calibrating
the internal wattmeter in the KAT2.  If you are using TUNE, be aware that
TUNE may produce a power output that is different from the requested power
by up to 0.5 watts (up to 5 watts with the KPA100).

While you can use an external wattmeter for calibration, I really don't
trust any of them (check their specs - usually 20% of full scale is the
speced accuracy, and that is 2 watts on a 10 watt scale).  I use a 'scope
across a good 50 ohm pure resistance and the formula Vp-p^2/400 when
calibrating the forward power (an RF probe could be used instead).  I also
have a 25 ohm and 100 ohm non-reactive dummy load that I use when setting
the SWR at the 2:1 point.  In general, I have found that the REFL pot on the
KAT2 must be set more clockwise than the FWD pot to obtain the proper 2:1
SWR calibration.  Additional note - if the SWR with the 25 ohm load is
different than the 100 ohm load, the balance trimmer cap is not set
properly - if you have similar loads, you can nudge the trimer a bit until
the SWR reported is the came with both loads.

Additional note - the KPA100 and the KAT100 reflected power pot WILL be set
nearly the same as the position on the FWD pot - but the KAT2 settings will
differ quite a bit.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I have a question concerning antenna power and SWR.  I am setting my K2
> power at 5 watts via CAT.  The K2 display reads 4.3 F, 0.0r.  An external
> watt/SWR dual meter reads 5.9  +/- 0.2 Fwd and a small value
> which can't be
> read accurately, Rev.  A Tandem SWR/Power meter reads 7.2 +/-  0.2 watts
> and a SWR of 1.2 +/- 0.1.
>
> ...
>
> Also, if the power level is set by the K2 CAT at 5.0 watts, why is the K2
> display reading 4.3 watts?  If I have a very accurate wattmeter, can I
> calibrate the K2 wattmeter?  How about calibrating the CAT setting?  I
> probably can get a more accurate reading on the Tandem by using a DVM set
> on current in series with its meter(s).
>
> 73,  Chas,  W1CG
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.16 - Release Date: 5/24/2005
>
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.16 - Release Date: 5/24/2005

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com