please let me know if there is anything I can do to help :). I came into this thread late I think or missed some stuff, so this might have already been mentioned, but what does this forthcoming I hope device run on?  a raspberry pie is powerful nd cheap and runs linux happily, which might be a good development platform. that would allow the use of off the shelf modules to read hf vhf and uhf power and such.k. I know I have seen modules to do this that work with  software not he pc before somewhere, . I would be happy to test stuff, but I am no programmer. I do know a couple people who are very good at linux stuff though, and I am sure they would love to participate in a worthwhile project like this one.

On Jan 2, 2014, at 12:05 AM, Rob <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi Jim,
> 
>   I'm just following up to say I greatly appreciate your support and 
> well wishes! While your suggestion is very thoughtful, I certainly do 
> not want you guys supporting me in this way. I am the one putting myself 
> in this situation so I'm the one that has to deal with the consequences. 
> But again, thanks for the support!
> 
> 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 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, 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 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, Jim
>> WA6EKS
>> 
>> 
>>  ----- 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
>> 
>> 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
>>