With out looking at the web to get current pricing for the LP100 and the
Power Master 2, I believe that both meters are in the $600 to $700 range.
Of course, like everything else, pricing depends on what options are
specified when making the purchase.  It seems to me that each additional
coupler for my Power Master 2 adds About $250 to the bill.  In the long run,
the modern digital power meters are less expensive than buying a Bird model
43 and a half dozen or more slugs.  Many slugs go for over $200 each
nowadays, and some even pushing $300.

73

Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Thurman
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 1:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Development of a talking power/SWR meter

that sounds awesome, i hav enot heard of this device, how expensive is =
it though.  some of those pc controlled things are lab grade stuff and =
way more than the average ham needs.
On Jan 2, 2014, at 4:11 AM, Alan R. Downing <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Jim,=20
>=20
> while we all would love to have an accurate replacement for something =
like
> the TW-1, remember that the Power Master 2, and I believe also the =
LP100 are
> accessible when connected to a computer.  I read my forward and =
reflected
> power, as well as my SWR, with my PM2.  In addition, the PM2 can be
> configured to open the amp key line when a high SWR is detected, to =
prevent
> transmission of high power into a bad load.   Also, the PM2 can be
> configured to open the amp key line if output power exceeds a preset =
level.
> So, meters such as the PM2 and LP100 provide more than just speaking =
power
> and SWR like the TW-1 does.
>=20
> 73, KD7GC
>=20
>=20
> Alan R. Downing
> Phoenix, AZ
>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Jim Gammon
> Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 1:51 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Development of a talking power/SWR meter
>=20
> Ok Rob well just wanted you to know that I for one, am behind=20
> your work in whatever way possible to make the development of a=20
> talking Power, SWR meter possible.  Wishing you the best for the=20
> new year, and 73, Jim WA6EKS
>=20
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rob <[log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date sent: Wed, 1 Jan 2014 21:05:57 -0800
> Subject: Re: Development of a talking power/SWR meter
>=20
> Hi Jim,
>=20
>   I'm just following up to say I greatly appreciate your support=20
> and
> well wishes! While your suggestion is very thoughtful, I=20
> certainly do
> not want you guys supporting me in this way.  I am the one=20
> putting myself
> in this situation so I'm the one that has to deal with the=20
> consequences.
> But again, thanks for the support!
>=20
> Rob
> K6DQ
> my
> On 12/31/2013 11:29 AM, Jim Gammon wrote:
> Hi Rob, let me add my voice in thanks to you for taking on such=20
> a
> project.  I think that if all of us on the list would be willing
> to kick in even just $20.00 toward helping you realize the goal
> of a stand-alone accessible meter that would work on Hf, VHF,=20
> and
> UHF on any rig, would be a very worthy cause.  This would allow
> you to buy one or more meters upon which to experiment and use=20
> as
> a platform to develop a prototype meter.  Happy new year and I
> wish you great success in all of your endeavors in 2014.  73,=20
> Jim
> WA6EKS
>=20
>=20
>   ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rob <[log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date sent: Tue, 31 Dec 2013 01:41:59 -0800
> Subject: Talking SWR/Power Meter Question Follow Up
>=20
> Thanks all,
>=20
>     I want to thank you all for taking the time to respond to my
> query
> and I appreciate the support for my efforts!  As was obvious,=20
> the
> need
> to directly read reflected power is not a necessity and=20
> depending
> on how
> things progress, I still might be able to provide this but=20
> wanted
> to
> make sure it was not required.  For the record, I rarely check
> reflected
> power myself.  That aside, let me try to clarify a couple things
> at this
> point given by some of your responses.
>     As noted previously, the "HamPod" is basically a generic
> hardware
> platform that I can use to communicate with devices that are
> equipped
> with a serial port and provide access via their protocol and
> messaging
> to various internal data points.  That is how I can use the
> HamPod to
> work with the Elecraft W2 and Power Master 2 meters because they
> both
> are equipped with a serial port and provide sufficient messaging
> to use
> them via their serial ports.  In fact, Array Solutions even
> modified
> their firmware to support our community to make this a better
> product
> for us.  They were also very willing to loan me a meter for
> development
> so they should be commended for that as well.  I should also=20
> note
> that
> Elecraft loaned me both a K3 and KX3 for development.  I also
> feel
> compelled to mention that the combination of a K3 or KX3 and a
> HamPod
> provides the most accessible solution out there and they are
> pretty
> incredible rigs too!  Sorry for that diversion.
>     The meter I'm currently evaluating to provide accessibility
> for does
> not have a serial port so it will require an internal processor
> based
> circuit to access the hardware directly, much like my SteppIR
> antenna
> controller.  So this will be a self contained stand-alone meter
> much like
> the TW-1.  It is still pretty early into development with this
> unit so
> I'm still not sure it will work for us but if it does, I can say
> it will
> cover HF through UHF and legal power and beyond through use of=20
> up
> to 2
> external coupler selection.  So at this point, I can't predict
> what the
> final cost will be but my goal is of course to keep it as
> inexpensive as
> possible but yet still provide an accurate  and quality piece of
> equipment.  I do not intend on adding the ability to measure
> frequency
> with this meter as this would require additional hardware
> modifications.
>     As for future suggestions such as an accessible antenna
> analyzer,
> that is on the list of things I want to build.  Problem is, all
> this
> stuff takes way too much time as it is and funds are limited and
> actually non-existent if you ask the wife! .  So while I agree
> the Array
> Solutions 4170 is an incredible piece of gear, at around $570
> it's
> probably not feasible for the majority of us So it makes more
> sense to
> work with something like an MFJ product.  I'm not even sure if
> the 4170
> is adequately accessible through the serial port, but if you=20
> want
> to
> donate one, I'll gladly look into it! I also want to add
> accessibility
> for more rigs for the HamPod so the list is open ended plus I've
> already
> added support for some other gear when asked as was the case=20
> with
> the
> Power Master 2.
>     So thanks again for your comments and support and I'll let=20
> you
> know
> how things progress.
>=20
> Thanks,
> Rob  K6DQ