Here's an advance look at Glentek's new USB adapter for the Model 43 Bird Wattmeter. This is a product that was introduced at the Dayton Hamvention on May 14. [ http://www.GlentekCorp.com ]

The WATCHER, as it's called, allows you to bring your Bird Model 43 rf wattmeter into the 21st century with:

***** Simple USB computer connection.

***** Advanced software interface for analog and digital power readings taken from the Bird Model 43 wattmeter

***** Peak Reading adapter: allows computer or physical meters to view PEP. Peak reading can be set up so fast on the computer that you can accurately measure a "dit" at 80 wpm. Uses the Bird wattmeter sensor for the ultimate in RF pickup accuracy.

***** Element stretchers: change the value of your element (slug)... even remotely... helps pay for itself!

***** A flick of a switch and the unit reverts back to its original, portable configuration!

***** No batteries needed: powered from the USB port.

** may be used with external power supply or battery powered if desired

This is the first software interface within your budget for a wattmeter that can interface to a computer. The monitor displays an LINEAR SCALE ANALOG METER. Remote viewing and monitoring is now possible. No need to place the wattmeter near the operating position: it's USB!

The software was designed to allow remote desktop rf power monitoring without triggering those annoying screen redraws. So viewing an analog meter showing RF power over the internet is a snap! The Ethernet RF power monitor operates without a computer. Great for repeater operators with remote locations to keep tabs on their transmitters.

Both USB and direct Ethernet versions are available. Visit Glentek at http://www.GlentekCorp.com for details and pricing.

A new article from K9SO regarding the "hacking" of the IC-706 front panel (control head) codes. This is the communications protocol transmitted along the remote interface cable. While this is a work in progress, there are some hints as to how to control the body of the IC706 using a a LAN or internet link to the control head. Also included is an explanation that will allow augmentation of the IC706 CI-V controls. By intercepting the control head communications, computer control of non-CI-V supported commands such as volume adjustments are possible. LAN and WAN control of the main radio unit allows the user to maintain that "radio feel" while operating remotely since the control head can be used to control the radio rather than through a computer. Operation is nearly identical to when the head is directly attached to the radio unit. This has been tested on the MKII-G version only so far.

At Last! Reprinted here with permission of the ARRL is the November 2009 QST article
Due to recent attacks on this website, I am allowing only amateur radio operators requesting an account using their call sign as their username. An account allow you to post comments and/or questions here.

Useful but reversible Mods and projects for your Bird Model 43 Watt meter. This page also will contain links and papers regarding methods for Bird wattmeter element or slug repair. . The theory of operation and basic wattmeter design is described in the papers on the links to the right. Theory of directional couplers is described at
http://www.k9so.net/?q=node/11
and RF detector operation at
http://www.k9so.net/?q=node/10

A new addition "Wattmeter Element Repair", gives the basics of the two types of wattmeter elements and describes the interiors so that a repair may be attempted. This is a large file to download, but includes high resolution pictures of element interiors.

Contributions to the collective knowledge of element repair are solicited.

return to home page: http://www.k9so.net

Well, I got hacked because of leaving some ports open and the little so and so tore my computer to shreads. Now, with the new Internet Radio Controll in a box (see links on main page above), there's no need to worry about security. But more on that later. I think it's secure with the PC control now. But security concerns make the "no computer needed" idea much more attractive. See [ http://www.GlentekCorp.com ]. Below is the previous edit of this section. Bottom line, be careful about opening ports! See an updated version of this article at http://www.k9so.net/?q=node/7

View the attachment 1 (word file)or attachment 2 (pdf)to see a view of my remote operating screen. Here you will see a SKYPE audio link, a SKYPE video link and the Glentek remote RF power meter screen [see http://www.GlentekCorp.com ]. The center of the screen in the rig control software (Ham Radio Deluxe) and on the lower right, the CW Keyboard screen. Top left and right are the local and remote linking screens using W4MQ's Internet Toolkit program.

It's been almost 7 years since I took apart my old remote operating site. The details of this are included in the other section below. But what a difference 7 years of absence has made! Guys like W4MQ, W7DXX, N7VB and many others have taken remote linking with Kenwood into the stratosphere. I don't consider myself a pioneer, but we're IN ORBIT now!! Below, I am going to document what I had to go through in order to get my new, internet-linked ICOM radio site up and running "the old way". You may still want to follow this path.

I will explain EchoLink first since that is a good first step and then get into some of the internet linking options such as developed by W4MQ and others.

ECHOLINK

A "virtual reality" Remote radio site without the need for a high speed internet connection or even a computer?
Too good to be true? Read the attachment (Microsoft WORD file). This is some older and simpler technology, but it may give you some ideas if you're an ICOM person.

return to home page: http://www.k9so.net

What is “Gain-Probability”? The attachments include the original QEX article and the GP Spreadsheet.

In its simplest form, Gain-Probability described in K9SO's QEX article combines the EZNEC calculated far field patterns of an antenna with published propagation data that predicts the incoming angles of signals from around the world. Combining these pieces of information gives great insight into antenna performance and is a probabilistic approach to comparing antenna performances (incoming signal angles are given as probabilities). Link to G-P program examples.

This article was published in the ARRL publication QEX Magazine in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue. The G-P calculator and a brief explanation of the G-P concept is accessible via the attachments below.

Click here to access the EZNEC models and spreadsheets used in the original article:
http://www.k9so.net/?q=node/4

Return to home page: http://www.k9so.net