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