Cecil, W5DXP wrote: 
"Are there any locations up and down the line and/or any value of load 
that will cause the Bird wattmeter not to read 100 watts forward power?" 
 
Cecil has eliminated a re-reflection with his circulator at the 
generator. 
 
Therefore, the Bird, being insensitive to power traveling in the 
opposite direction to that sensed, should read 100 watts forward power 
at any location in the line. 
 
There must be enough transmission line to enforce Zo. The width of the 
Bird case is likely insufficient line length. 
 
Another caveat is that the Bird elements were designed to balance using 
a 50-ohm load on the line, but were intended and have proved workable on 
mismatched lines. 
 
Another frequent question is, "How about a large reactance termination?" 
Not to worry, again, given sufficient line. Terman and other authorities 
report that this reactance only displaces SWR patterns on a line. That 
is logical considering lengths of transmission lines as reactances 
themselves. So as Cecil would likely be quick to point out, adding a 
reactance is tantamount to adding a length of transmission line, and 
vice versa. 
 
SWR should have little effect on power determination with the Bird 
wattmeter which is performed as : Forward power minus reflected power, 
period! With the circulator, disposition of all power is clear. The 
forward power must contain all load and reflected power which only makes 
one round-trip. 
 
Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI 
 
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
	 |