Jim Kelley wrote:
I think the source of part of the confusion here is that some people
apparently interpret the 'forward power' reading on their meter to mean
the power into their transmission line.

The confusion comes about when the signal generator output power
is used as the reference, as is customary in a number of companies,
including the Intel cable group when I was there. Forward power is
*NOT* measured. Signal Generator Output Power is measured and all
dB measurements are referenced to that power.

The confusion I think stems from the contention that any 'reflected
power' (unfortunate nomenclature IMO) is first sourced and then after
reflection returned back into the source, or to a circulator load as the
case may be. The latter case is certainly correct. The former is
phenomenologically problematic.

Another example of a physicist rejecting engineering principles.
I suggest you review HP's Ap Note 95-1 on S-Paramater analysis to
refresh your knowledge of the engineering definition of power.

|a1|^2 is forward power on the source side.
|b1|^2 is reflected power on the source side.
|a2|^2 is reflected power on the load side.
|b2|^2 is forward power on the load side.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp