[Premium-Rx] HP-3586 discussion

[w8au at sssnet.com]

At 10:12 AM 2/24/06, Mark Donaldson wrote:
>I do not have first hand knowledge of the W&G SPM-15
>but have studied the schematics of the HP-3586
>The 3586 and I believe
>most selective level meters lack AGC.  I do not
>think the selective level
>meters strive for superior front end performance in
>terms of noise figure and overload performance, as
>long as the front end of the selective level meter
>meets the dynamic range requirements it is adequate
>for its' intended use. I would not put even the best
>selective level meters in the same category as a
>premium receiver or even a non-premium receiver they
>are two different things.

Ditto on the above:

As a user of SVM's over the years, from Sierra (Ford) thru
Rycom, HP and W/G (probably the best) I have found that
front ends are broad and susceptible to IMD when hooked
to an antenna.  Many of the tunable ones had drift problems.

They certainly work for what they were intended for, however:
Short term measurements on level limited microwave basebands
and carrier current systems.

A BP filter between antenna and SVM would help, and even that
has insertion loss..

Perry  w8au