"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
news
"Yes, there is some good information floating around. However, it all
boils down to, in your words, having an accurate standard available. I
do not."


This is what ham radio is all about. We make do without adequate test
equipment - we just need to put a little more effort into figuring how to
use what we have.

Take a dummy load. Use a dvm to measure the dc resistance. That should
also be the rf impedance. You can determine power going into the load by
measuring the rf voltage across it. Some of the surplus voltmeters will
measure rf voltage. Or, borrow one. Knowing the rf voltage across 50
ohms, you can calculate power. P= e squared / R.

It is likely that the linearity of the Bird is ok, even if the power
reading is incorrect. So, once you check the accuracy at one point, you
have it for all points.

Colin K7FM


Exactly...... I have a bird, and am interested in it's upkeep. However -
prior to the bird - I had an occasion sometime before - when I had a 2 way
radio come in - my wattmeter then had decided to flake out on me. So, I used
an RF probe with an Eico 232 across the dummy load which was 52 ohms. I was
able to get by with that til I could get a wattmeter going again. Ya just
have to learn to adapt. AND for the hell of it, I did some comparisons from
the Wattmeter to the Eico with the RF Probe. WE're talking maybe a quarter
watt - or less.
No big deal in most cases unless you're dealing with "low" power. At least
the 2 way radio was back on the air!

L.
L.