RadioBanter - View Single Post

October 23rd 03, 07:33 AM

wrote in message
...
On 21 Oct 2003 12:24:22 -0700, (Citizens For
A Keyclown-Free Newsgroup) wrote:

Oh sure I supose the 31" S- METER really proves the accuracy of the
test better than using Smith charts LOL.

Why yes it does. It uses a actual voltage in a actual receiver to give
the best representation of a actual antenna in a actual situation.

Absolutely. If you want to test a real antenna, you need real test
equipment.
No charts or theory will tell you how that antenna in your garden will
perform in the real World.

It is important to note that the S-meter need not be accurate. It just
needs to be consistent enough to give higher or lower readings.

The only time it needs to be accurate, is if you are comparing to antennas
tested by other people with other meters. This is the whole point of
calibration to national standards. In the UK, calibration of instruments
has to be traceable to national standards to be accepted by British
Standards.

For comparative measurements on your own systems, using the same instrument,
calibration is not needed. It should also be remembered that nearby objects
will affect readings so, even with the same instrument or calibration, two
identical antennas may give different readings at different locations.

Also, different antennas give different radiation patterns at different
heights above ground. An antenna which seems to outperform others at a
certain height may be outperformed by the others at a different height.

Regards,

Peter.