Rob:

I use both the LDG TW-1 and TW-2.  I almost never engage the reflected power 
function, and, when I do, it is just for curiosity.  On some bands the 
reflected power appears to be about 50 percent of the forward power reading, 
but I still get decent reports.  I don't know if that is inaccuracy of the 
instrument, or lucky band conditions.

In any case, I would have no problem with a talking power/SWR meter with no 
reflected power reading, if I could rely on the accuracy of the other 
readings.

Thanks for asking, and good luck.


73,
Gale conard
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2013 1:53 AM
Subject: Talking SWR/Watt Meter Question


Hi Guys

   As some of you know, I build the HamPod which is fundamentally  a box
with a 16 button keypad and provides an accessible  speech interface to
various pieces of radio gear. One project that has been continuously
pushed aside by requests for additional HamPod support has been to build
a talking SWR/Watt meter. The HamPod currently has support for the
Elecraft W2 and the Array Solutions Power Master 2 meters but those are
primarily options for those who already own one of those meters or a
HamPod. For this new meter, I want to build a stand alone device much
like the out of production LDG TW-1 but with better accuracy and using
separate couplers. I will also provide an audio tome tuning function.
There are a couple optional paths to pursue here.  The first is to
design and build a meter from scratch which will require the most time.
Second is to leverage a meter already in production that I can make
accessible. This is my preferred choice as it will be much quicker to
develop but of course will in crease the cost to some extent.
   I've started exploring development with an existing meter and have a
question I'd like to pose to the group for your feedback. I'd like to
know if you require the need to know reflected power. As it is now with
this current meter, I can provide peak forward power, average forward
power, and SWR. You can determine reflected power given forward power
and SWR but the question is, just how important is it for you to be able
to directly read reflected power? Do you currently make use of this
reading with your current meter? I would like to know the consensus
before I invest more time into that aspect at this point.

Thanks,
Rob  K6DQ
73,
Gale
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