[Amps] Bird Element Calibration?

[R.Measures]

On Mar 22, 2005, at 10:37 AM, Gary Smith wrote:

> Accurate or not, the Bird 43 is the accepted standard.

The FCC does not measure power at amateur radio stations with a Bird 43.

> Although there are devices available with more accuracy when that 
> power out readings are taken with something other than a Bird, the 
> question might pop up: "Oh. Is that a good as... ")
> Have not asked, see no need to, but I'll bet you could order a slug 
> (oddball) made-to-order that would read any power level (1 watt up) 
> across the narrowest of frequencies. I do not know of any other outfit 
> that offer the same in an acceptable $$ range.
> And now I will let my one dollar and ninety five cents on this issue 
> drop.
> 73,
> Gary... wa6fgi
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Paul Whatton
>   To: amps at contesting.com
>   Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 1:44 AM
>   Subject: Re: [Amps] Bird Element Calibration?
>
>
>   Gee guys this Bird 43 accuracy debate is so sad. And it misses the
>   point. In countries around the World radio amateurs knew they were
>   buying the best. The certainty that Bird 43 with a 2.5kW slug in the
>   feeder brought them made their station better and actually helped 
> them
>   work that DX!
>
>   And now you are trying to destroy all those dreams! Have you all no 
> shame?
>
>   The 43 comes from the modernist school of design, a time when things
>   were right, shouldn't be questioned and there was no uncertainty. 
> Just
>   look at it, that big round meter and grey industrial case just oozes
>   authority. It is irrelevant whether a Bird 43 works or not, it is an
>   icon, symbolising certainty and American greatness. Anyone who owns 
> one
>   has the best, no question.
>
>   I love my Bird 43 for those reasons. Just as I love my British 1959
>   Acoustical Quad II tube audio amplifiers. They too were the "best" 
> you
>   could buy, a symbol of a Great Britain. The designer of the Bird and 
> the
>   Quad II must surely have been the same person? Hey! They are even 
> both
>   painted military grey.
>
>   I paid GBP60.00 (about $100) for my secondhand Bird 43 at a hamfest. 
> Of
>   course I could have bought a new SWR/power meter for that price, and 
> it
>   would have been junk. Instead I have an art artifact that I'd be 
> proud
>   to put on my mantlepiece.
>
>   Anyway I suppose the good thing that will come out of this debate is
>   that lots of previously content Bird owners will realise that they 
> don't
>   own the best any more. I guess anyone who can't live with the
>   uncertainty will now have to rush out and buy an Agilent to be sure 
> they
>   really have 2kW and not actually 1.8kW. Then they'll be sure their
>   station is up to spec and they can work the DX in the future.
>
>   So, if you are about to trash your 43 please let me know. I need a 
> load
>   more slugs. Those of us who truely understand what a BIrd 43 is will 
> be
>   delighted to take your junk off your hands.
>
>   73 Paul G4DCV
>
>
>   _______________________________________________
>   Amps mailing list
>   Amps at contesting.com
>   http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>

Richard L. Measures, AG6K, 805.386.3734.  www.somis.org