[Boatanchors] how to read microvolts

[Keith Densmore]

A freebie way to get a  'ballpark' figure is by calibrating the generator
output against a know good receiver with a fairly accurate S-meter. A R-390
that reads in microvolts would be a good bet. Other receivers vary
considerably, an S-unit being between 3-6 microvolts. A starting guess would
put S-9 at 50 microvolts.

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Brannigan <jbrannig at optonline.net>
To: Dick KF4NS <kf4nsradio at verizon.net>; <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] how to read microvolts


> Dick,
> You really can't without expensive lab equipment, but why try?
> Verify that the values in the attenuator(s) are correct, measure at the
> "millivolt" level and do the math.
>
> As others have mentioned the old Heath generators were very leaky.  You
> can't trust the measurements anyway.
>
> Jim
>
> > This may be a dumb question but I really cannot find a way to read
> > microvolts of RF.  My old Heath RF sig gen has bad resistors in the
> > attenuator but I only know that by reading the values of the resistors.
> > What can I use to read the output of the sig gen in very small values of
> > microvolts?
> >
> > My scope will not read that low and my VTVM with RF probe will not read
it
> > either. I can read millivolts on various pieces of my test equipment but
> > the only thing I can think of is to boost the signal with an amp and
then
> > allow for the difference as long as I can be sure of the total gain of
the
> > amp.
> >
> > Please enlighten me.
> > Thanks and 73, Dick KF4NS
> > St Petersburg, FL 33714 USA
> > Keep The Glow!
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