[Elecraft] Measuring power output of an SSB transmitter

[Brian Lloyd]

There is no substitute for an oscilloscope. There are precious few  
meters that will read true peak power. Also, no meter is going to show  
you peak compression or outright flat-topping (clipping) like a 'scope.

Someone mentioned that their power output went down when they turned  
the compression down and would Elecraft make power output remain  
constant as compression is reduced. Well, the power output (average)  
is *SUPPOSED* to decrease when you reduce compression. When speech  
compression is reduced, your peak-to-average power ratio increases.  
The peaks remain just as high but the average power is considerably  
less. This is another reason to want a 'scope to check your rig.

BTW, how many people have done a two-tone test or a double trapezoid  
test for linearity? How many people even know what I am talking  
about? :-)

(My first HF transmitter was a Central Electronics Multi-Phase exciter  
with a whopping 10W of output. When I got done making that work again  
you can bet I understood single-sideband. :-)

Brian Lloyd
Granite Bay Montessori School          9330 Sierra College Bl
brian AT gbmontessori DOT com          Roseville, CA 95661
+1.916.367.2131 (voice)                +1.791.912.8170 (fax)

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