Actually there have been audible meter readers of various types since the
1920s.

If the watt meter has a computer interface then a microcontroller can be
programmed to read that.

Actual speech synthesizers are still too expensive for such a project,
however systems like the Arduino boards can do digitized words in
applications like this where the number of words required is smallish.

Tom Fowle WA6IVG

On Mon, Oct 12, 2015 at 06:06:04AM -0500, howard kaufman wrote:
> Not boring, but I disagree.
> The VCO across the meter of a SWR meeter, has given that information since
> the 60's.  The lower the pitch on reflected power, the lower the reflected
> power.
> Can you get a didgital output off of a didgital watt meter, that can drive a
> synthesizer, or a screen reader?
> If accureate PEP readings were available, that would be great!
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Tom Fowle
> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2015 10:14 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: TW-1
> 
> Well Ron took care of asking LDG for help. actually most small business
> people, and big ones too, are pretty paranoid about their products even
> those they never plan to make again.  Darned Lawyers!
> 
> However, I shouldn't think it very difficult to reproduce a similar unit, it
> mostly depends on who has what connections with what kind of manufacturing
> setups.
> 
> Should those of us with some experience in trying this task get together,
> perhaps in a seperate list, and see what we can thrash out?
> 
> As long as nobody has proprietary feelings about sharing work, we might be
> able to put together various ideas and maybe even, <gasp!> get something
> done?
> 
> Here's my thinking on what is actually needed. Skip rest if you're bored!
> 
> We don't really need a talking watt meter unless running legal limit and
> need to be sure not going overboard.
> 
> What is really basically needed is an audible accessible vSWR meter. All you
> really need to know is that the rig is seeing an swr that makes it happy.
> Even with a manual tuner, that's all you need.
> 
> 
> so a simple audio VCO design based on a cheap swr meter with an indication
> of 2/1 or less VSWR will do for most purposes.
> 
> Look back at April 2013 QST for Bill Gerrey's article showing how to add
> such a simple circuit to an MFJ meter.
> 
> It's simple, easy to reproduce, cheap in common parts  and does the job.
> 
> You'll hate it of course, cause everything just has to talk! <GRIN>
> 
> Have I stirred up a hornets nest? Or bored you to delete?
> BTW, I believe Rob Santello of Hampods is working on a talking watt meter.
> 
> 
> tom Fowle
> WA6IVG
> 
> On Sun, Oct 11, 2015 at 08:24:58PM -0500, Dr. Ronald E. Milliman wrote:
> > Brian, I have one of the TW-1 talking SWR/power meters, and have tried 
> > to obtain the schematic from LDG, and they will not provide it to 
> > anyone. We have reverse engineered it and are still working on this 
> > project. We are investigating several different circuits and options. 
> > The most expensive component is the voice module or chip, which can be 
> > pretty expensive, depending upon your objectives.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Ron, K8HSY
> > 
> > President, Millitronics, Inc.
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > 
> > From: For blind ham radio operators 
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > On Behalf Of kd8ase
> > 
> > Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2015 6:06 PM
> > 
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > 
> > Subject: TW-1
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Hello, all, This question is for anyone who owns the tw-1. I am 
> > looking for= a schematic/partslist for this device.
> > 
> > I am talking to a couple engineer/technician friends and we are going 
> > to tr= y reproducing this device.
> > 
> > TNX, Brian McFadden, KD8ASE
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > ---
> > 
> > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> > 
> > https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
> > 
> > Retired Professor of Marketing
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > President: Millitronics, Inc. (millitronics.biz)
> > 
> > President: A3 Business Solutions (a3businesssolutions.com)
> > 
> > President: M&M Properties
> > 
> > President: South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind (SCKCB.ORG)
> > 
> >  
> > 
> >