[Elecraft] Field Strength Meter

[Stuart Rohre]

Older ARRL Handbooks like 1957 had it in mobile chapter.  Other mobile books
like the W6? one about 40 years of mobiling have FS meter circuits.

It is just a diode radio, ie broadband without tuned circuit if you want, a
whip, germanium diode, cap, load resistor, and metering circuit.  Should be
on web with a google.com search, " Field Strength Meter".

It IS VERY useful for antennas comparison, or tuning up variable coil
matched antennas like the bugcatcher mobiles.  It is just so simple it is
underutilized!   Nothing beats knowing your adjustments to your antenna is
putting the maximum field into space at a given take off angle and distance
from the antenna.  You tune the adjustments for maximum field, the further
from the antenna the better.  FS meter should be clear of other conductors.
Short of an Antenna Analyzer at 300 plus bucks, this is the most instrument
for the investment.  It can be made out of the forward section of an SWR
meter also, with addition of a feedline to a whip.  You take the SWR meter
out of line, and use the forward diode and meter as diode detector followed
by ma meter.  Some of the small CB SWR meters included a female thread in a
insulated bushing on one end of the case for this very use with small
telescoping whip.  Those can be found at flea markets or ham swaps for $5 to
$10.

72, Stuart K5KVH