[Amps] Elecraft W2, nope

[Al Kozakiewicz]

I don't understand why you would want to use the peak reading function to tune an amplifier.  The time delay before decay just makes tuning harder and doesn't really add any value.

I also have an LP-100A and an antenna tuner that is rarely used.  The tuner has a wattmeter in it that I leave on instantaneous mode and use that to tune the amp.

If you're using a pecker or some other pulsing device (completely unnecessary, IMO) an instantaneous reading meter will indicate a bit low, but since you're tuning for a peak, it doesn't matter.

Al
AB2ZY

-----Original Message-----
> Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 19:07:57 -0800
> From: audioguy at q.com
> To: Amps at contesting.com
> Subject: [Amps] Elecraft W2, or other"best" meter for tweaking the beast(s)?
> 
> Has anyone tried the Elecraft W2 bar-graph wattmeter for tweaking 
> their legal-limit amp? I read somewhere that the peak-hold is 
> something like a second. If so, probably too long to be useful for my purposes.
> 
> I have a calibrated LP-100A, and while it's plenty "accurate" enough 
> for most amateur use, the display doesn't update quickly enough for 
> easy tuning in normal peak mode, and the peak hold is something like 
> 10 seconds - again not useful for tuning an amp.
> 
> So... I also have a Bird 43 with a peak-reading board, which actually 
> works fine for bench use, but isn't great as a fixed-station device. 
> The one I keep going back to is the old Heathkit HM-2140 with the 
> op-amp peak circuit. The timing of the peak-hold circuit just seems to 
> work for me for tuning amps, but the meter faces are relatively small 
> and it's quite old now.
> 
> Again - I'm not looking to start another accuracy debate. Ultimate 
> accuracy really isn't the point - I can use the LP-100A at the end of 
> the circuit for absolute readings. Ease of use, timing of the 
> peak-reading circuit and other amenities for tuning amps are the 
> criteria I'm using here.
> 
> Thanks,
> Jim N7CXI
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