"Crazy George" wrote in message ...

OK, one alternative is to use a known accurate (1dB) step attenuator in the
receive line to get the relative numbers. Always go for the same strength
indication on the receiver. Start at the azimuth with lowest indication,
and add attenuation as it rotates.


Yeah, that's a good idea. I made an amplified RF sniffer from
plans in the ARRL handbook that uses an op-amp, but i never calibrated
the meter.

i could do this if i had bought one of those step attenuators at
that ham fest i was at. Even if i had bought the somewhat inaccurate
one that rotated, i could have still measured how off it was on a
power meter.

Yeah, i can set the sensitivity of the sniffer with a pot that
controls the feedback resistor, and i can set for full scale
deflection at the rear lobe, which should be the lowest field
strength, and then increase the attenuation to maintain the same
needle position.

I'd have to get it back from the guy and take it off the rooftop
again! This experiment will have to wait!

He's getting out just fine...



Slick