Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

[TowerTalk] Wattmeters and 75 ohm Coax

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Wattmeters and 75 ohm Coax
From: W8JI@contesting.com (Tom Rauch)
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 14:08:09 -0400
>  I was wondering if anyone out there knows if the Bird 43 wattmeter and
> Coaxial Dynamics peak reading wattmeter work with 75 ohm coax or just 50
> ohm?

The line section has a surge impedance of 50 ohms, and the slugs 
are nulled at 50 ohms.

You could re-null the slug at 75 ohms, assuming it has enough 
range inside. I have no idea if Bird does this, but I doubt it.

A better choice would be to buy a meter using a normal directional 
coupler like the AWM-30, and null it for 75 ohms. The most that 
would require is adjusting a trimmer capacitor and a few resistors 
in value.

The MFJ-259B and 269 both have a line impedance menu that lets 
you normalize DIGITAL SWR readings to any resistance within the 
reasonable accuracy limit of the bridge inside the unit. It works at 
75 ohms and even with 450-ohm systems. My four-square uses an 
unbalanced 600 ohm section that I can tune that way. 

I use that function quite often since ALL of my receiving antennas 
are 75-ohm systems.   
 
> If they don't work properly with 75 ohm coax, is there anyway to "offset"
> the mismatch to get more accurate readings?

Matching transformers, if you can build them accurately.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com 

List Sponsored by AN Wireless:  AN Wireless handles Rohn tower systems,
Trylon Titan towers, coax, hardline and more. Also check out our self
supporting towers up to 96 feet for under $1500!!  http://www.anwireless.com

-----
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>