Rob,

I'll echo what one of the first posters said on this subject:  It would 
be nice to be able to read true  peak power, although it would no doubt 
add to complexity and price.  I do use a Wavenode unit, but find the 
software  clunky with JAWS, and the tuning tones are unusable,  but I 
can see the spikes on the 590 and deal with them accordingly.    Also as 
the majority has said, reflected power is no big deal for me.

Tnx for your work and good luck with all the projects.

My dos centavos.

73, Steve KW3A

On 12/31/2013 4:41 AM, Rob wrote:
> Thanks all,
>
>     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, the need
> to directly read reflected power is not a necessity and depending on how
> things progress, I still might be able to provide this but 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 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 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 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 with the
> Power Master 2.
>     So thanks again for your comments and support and I'll let you know
> how things progress.
>
> Thanks,
> Rob  K6DQ
>
>
>