Hello Rob,  At the moment I am down with the flu, or something like it, but
I will be calling you when I can talk a bit better.

In the meantime, let me thank you for all of your efforts, and wish you and
yours a very Happy New Year.

Best 73

.


Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Rob
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 2:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Talking SWR/Power Meter Question Follow Up

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