"Owen Duffy" wrote
To be picky, in most implementations, its response is a function of
the forward or reflected power provided that Zo is real, and the
magnitude of the complex reflection coefficient can be calculated
from
those measurements.

================================
Owen,

Forward and especially reflected power are even more imaginary than
the SWR on a non-existent 50-ohm line.

The only use for forward and reflected power is to calculate the
magnitude of the reflection coefficient. And the only use for the
reflection coefficient is to calculate the imaginary SWR. And the only
use . . . . .

I understand meter manufacturers provide graphs, which, if you don't
know how to use a pocket calculator, will do the calculations for you.
But you will still go round in circles.
----
Reg.