Thanks for sharing. Thanks to your videos, and some other YT channels, I finally got my Technician license (callsign showed up last week.) I then passed my General test as well, and have an HF rig showing up this week. So thanks for the inspiration to finally get into Amateur Radio. I originally found your channel because of my interest in Tek scopes. Your videos are very much appreciated. Thank you.
I installed a different peak meter kit, it also has an extra switch that gives you X2 and X5 meter readings, so a 10Watt slug can be used as a 10Watt, 20Watt and 50Watt slug, that saves you a huge ammount of money because you dont have to buy so many expensive slugs and that kit has a led indicating when its on.
Thanks for sharing Alan. With the OEM Bird peak kit as I mentioned before you only lose one of the "spare" slug holders on the side of the case. Does the LNA unit come with some kind of inserts for the sides to keep stuff out of the case (didn't see a side view in the video)? The Bird kit resembles a slug with the on/off switch and LED integrated into the cover. 73 - Dino KL0S
The Bird kit is much nicer in that regard. The PR-90 doesn't have covers to fill in the holes, nor does it have an LED indicating when it's on. I'll probably add both with homemade units.
first of all thank you very much Allen for this excellent video, as all your videos actually!. Just one question: Anyone knows if this kit is compatible with the Bird 4410a, or if there is any suitable kit for that Bird wattmeter model? Thanks in advance!
I would really like it if someone would give me the Bird... ;-) OK, OK, but someone had to say it! Thanks Alan for these last two videos about the Bird meters. Quite informative as I for one didn't know much about them or why they are sought after.
Great stuff Alan, Could you compare/contrast (or do a video on) the Telewave 44 series watt meter? As you probably know the Telewave does not use slugs but rather just a range switch and Fwd/Rev selector. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. dwight N7KBC
+Dwight Merkley The biggest problem I see with the Telewave 44 is that it starts at 20 Mhz. Not an ideal range of frequencies for ham radio use. Otherwise, it's a nice meter.
Hi Allen although it is a quite old video. Does this peak kit can read the the Power output of a radio using digital mode of the radio. Meaning measuring digital power output signals. Hope I explained my self. Regards
I have the RF BNC connector sampler built in on the right side of my bird 43 wattmeter. will the board fit ok, i do not want to take the bnc connector out, please advise, tnx Ron in Ohio
If your meter is the 4431, I don’t think this particular peak adapter will fit. There are other leak kits that are smaller and may work better for that meter.
Alan, these last 2 videos are more reasons why this is my favorite RUclips channel. Thank you for teaching us. How can I send you a pm regarding business?
+BersekViking Simple. Turn the circuit off and the peak adapter circuit is bypassed. So, you short the meter the same way (dummy plug or rotate the element by 90 degrees).
Never Mind that person!!!! I know it is 2 years ago and still puts a black mark on those that take this serious like. I want to learn more about radio....thank the "70's!! I just don't know who would apprentice me? I have worked in the Telecom. industry from 1983-late (December) 2009,then out. Company My Father sold to has about a third of the employees it had. No stranger to everything from,climbing,wiring,programming training,not only Clients....Me too. It never ends as the Telecom world does not stop. C.B. Radio,Ham and HIGH POWER amplification,antennas,the correct installs in Mobile as well As Home,I am not afraid of ..... Trying!! I Need a "Mentor/Teacher,I LISTEN, NOT just hear . I am serious!!!!!!!! I am 50 years young and can outwork 98% of the younger moaning Millennials!!!! Any directions would be a blessing to Me. Much Thanks. Sincerely,Troy B. Weand. P.S.-Help,if You can s I will Relocate,do what I have to do!! I see this great art as a dying thing and that SUCKS!!!!
Troy, I realise that you posted a long time ago, I am a RF field engineer and have been for over 30 years. Sadly it is a declining industry (I am in the UK). It is not all doom and gloom but many traditional users of PMR now use mobile phones. It might be worth you investigating vehicle installation work in Fire/Police/Ambulance vehicles or a local broadcast radio station. If you are anywhere near a port or marina perhaps marine radio would interest you? FWIW, a lot of people in the trade are also hams, it might be worth getting involved in a local club and doing some networking, you may be surprised with what turns up.
Witam, bardzo ciekawa prezentacja oraz dużo przydatnych informacji, używam kilku różnych modeli BIRD-43 i zrobiłem wiele badań oraz porównań z innymi miernikami mocy, takimi jak HP-435B, HP-437B oraz kilka Marconi 6960B, używam też kilku innych mierników mocy, przeprowadziłem wiele porównań pomiędzy tymi miernikami. Czy znasz moją web site, sp5mxf.com ? Na tej witrynie opisałem bardzo dokładnie właściwości tych mierników a najciekawsze są porównania pomiędzy różnymi miernikami. Na badanie mierników mocy przeznaczyłem dużo czasu i opisane wyniki oraz porównania są efektem 2 lat pracy przy pomiarach mocy. Jestem bardzo zainteresowany pomiarami mocy mikrofal. A tu jest bezpośredni link do tego miernika: sp5mxf.com/bird-43-thruline-rf-wattmeter/ sp5mxf.com/pomiary-mocy-w-cz/ Moja web site sp5mxf.com jest napisana w języku narodowym Polskim, co na pewno stanowi pewną trudność, lecz obecnie używając translatora google można czytać dość dokładnie teksty w różnych językach. Ja w ten sposób czytam w różnych językach, dziś są różne narzędzia i możliwości, jest łatwo. Ciekawi mnie twoja opinia na temat informacji które zamieściłem w opisach mierników mocy. Napisałem ten komentarz po polsku, następnie użyłem translatora google żeby go przetłumaczyć na język angielski więc pewnie będą pewne problemy, lecz powinno to być w miarę zrozumiałe. Pozdrawiam Tomasz
I wonder how accurate the peak reading is with these boards ?? i have the same board and my radio (CB) does 1w dead key then peaks just over 25w (using a 25w slug and lowering it to 1w for test purposes) now even at full power the radio only does 10w, so where does it magically find the extra 15w from ?? fresh air..
Having an 1w dead key and 25w pep indicates some kind of non-linear peaking going on with the modulator. If the modulator were perfectly linear, the PEP would never be greater than 4x the dead key power. One way to see for sure would be view the RF envelope on an oscilloscope and the signal's frequency content on a spectrum analyzer.
I for one appreciate all of you explanations of all your test equipment!! Keep them coming please!!
Thanks for sharing. Thanks to your videos, and some other YT channels, I finally got my Technician license (callsign showed up last week.) I then passed my General test as well, and have an HF rig showing up this week. So thanks for the inspiration to finally get into Amateur Radio. I originally found your channel because of my interest in Tek scopes. Your videos are very much appreciated. Thank you.
Congratulations! I hope to hear you on HF someday! 73 de W2AEW
why would someone thumbs down this video? I found it easy on the ears, and very informative, am looking forward to watching more of these videos.
It was likely someone who has a false understanding of the concepts discussed.
I installed a different peak meter kit, it also has an extra switch that gives you X2 and X5 meter readings, so a 10Watt slug can be used as a 10Watt, 20Watt and 50Watt slug, that saves you a huge ammount of money because you dont have to buy so many expensive slugs and that kit has a led indicating when its on.
Where does one buy one of these peak kits...not the Bird, the one out of Florida recommended here? I can't find it? Thanks
@@nelxonmiranda You can't - the company closed down and the LNA PR-90 is no longer available.
Couple of good videos on the Bird. Thanks Allen.
Alan, it would have been nice to see the sides of the meter after the kit was installed. Great meter, great video.
That's a nice looking Bird you've got there.
As always, a very informative video. Thanks Alan.
Do you know if anyone makes the peak hold kit to fit a Bird 4431 (it has the RF sample port) ?
Thanks for sharing Alan. With the OEM Bird peak kit as I mentioned before you only lose one of the "spare" slug holders on the side of the case. Does the LNA unit come with some kind of inserts for the sides to keep stuff out of the case (didn't see a side view in the video)? The Bird kit resembles a slug with the on/off switch and LED integrated into the cover. 73 - Dino KL0S
The Bird kit is much nicer in that regard. The PR-90 doesn't have covers to fill in the holes, nor does it have an LED indicating when it's on. I'll probably add both with homemade units.
first of all thank you very much Allen for this excellent video, as all your videos actually!. Just one question: Anyone knows if this kit is compatible with the Bird 4410a, or if there is any suitable kit for that Bird wattmeter model? Thanks in advance!
Nice video Alan.
I would really like it if someone would give me the Bird... ;-)
OK, OK, but someone had to say it! Thanks Alan for these last two videos about the Bird meters. Quite informative as I for one didn't know much about them or why they are sought after.
Hi Alan, can you check the voltage drop across the bird 43 meter movement at full scale for me please?
Hey Alan, how has that pr-90 held up for you over time?? I am thinking about adding one to a 43. Thx, and 73s W5YAK
So far, so good! Not sure if it is still available for purchase though.
Yea- can't find it.. Great video though. I'll listen for you on the air.. W5YAK@@w2aew
Good video. 👍ironman in Alabama 73s
Will it read ssb? Great video.
yes
ok tnx much for the info, I do have the 4431 bird meter!
Allen another nice video.
Hi Why is not possible buy any more PEPkit PR-80M PR-90M Board
I guess they weren't selling enough to make it profitable to keep in production.
Those Birds are really nice and that kit looks really nice as well. Great vid!
N0BPS
So you have to buy the peak reading circuit board extra? It doesn't come with the meter?
correct.
@@w2aew thanks. Great video
Great stuff Alan,
Could you compare/contrast (or do a video on) the Telewave 44 series watt meter?
As you probably know the Telewave does not use slugs but rather just a range switch and Fwd/Rev selector.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
dwight N7KBC
+Dwight Merkley Maybe in the future. I don't know much about the Telewave 44 series. Never used or owned one.
+Dwight Merkley The biggest problem I see with the Telewave 44 is that it starts at 20 Mhz. Not an ideal range of frequencies for ham radio use. Otherwise, it's a nice meter.
Do you know if I can modify one of these into a Telewave 44A
I don’t know, sorry.
@@w2aew Dannng! It's such a hard answer to find which is making me feel like the answer is no. Maybe I'll reach out to Telewave and see what they say.
If they use the same FS current reading on the meter, then the peak kits should be similar.
Hi Allen although it is a quite old video. Does this peak kit can read the the Power output of a radio using digital mode of the radio. Meaning measuring digital power output signals. Hope I explained my self. Regards
Digital modes simply are a different modulation type - this kit will still read the peak RF power under these modulation types too.
w2aew thanks a lot for your prompt response. I enjoy all your videos.
I have the RF BNC connector sampler built in on the right side of my bird 43 wattmeter. will the board
fit ok, i do not want to take the bnc connector out, please advise, tnx Ron in Ohio
If your meter is the 4431, I don’t think this particular peak adapter will fit. There are other leak kits that are smaller and may work better for that meter.
Thanks for sharing.
Can I email you with a question?
Alan, these last 2 videos are more reasons why this is my favorite RUclips channel. Thank you for teaching us. How can I send you a pm regarding business?
+Powerelectronicsguy L I just posted a private message on your youtube page.
What about shorting the meter movement for transport after this modification?
+BersekViking Simple. Turn the circuit off and the peak adapter circuit is bypassed. So, you short the meter the same way (dummy plug or rotate the element by 90 degrees).
The web site looks like it is down. Can't see a price or order the board. Some of the web site goes nowhere.
The company went out of business and this board is no longer available.
Thanks Alan.
Never Mind that person!!!! I know it is 2 years ago and still puts a black mark on those that take this serious like. I want to learn more about radio....thank the "70's!! I just don't know who would apprentice me? I have worked in the Telecom. industry from 1983-late (December) 2009,then out. Company My Father sold to has about a third of the employees it had. No stranger to everything from,climbing,wiring,programming training,not only Clients....Me too. It never ends as the Telecom world does not stop. C.B. Radio,Ham and HIGH POWER amplification,antennas,the correct installs in Mobile as well As Home,I am not afraid of ..... Trying!! I Need a "Mentor/Teacher,I LISTEN, NOT just hear . I am serious!!!!!!!! I am 50 years young and can outwork 98% of the younger moaning Millennials!!!! Any directions would be a blessing to Me. Much Thanks. Sincerely,Troy B. Weand. P.S.-Help,if You can s I will Relocate,do what I have to do!! I see this great art as a dying thing and that SUCKS!!!!
Troy, I realise that you posted a long time ago, I am a RF field engineer and have been for over 30 years. Sadly it is a declining industry (I am in the UK). It is not all doom and gloom but many traditional users of PMR now use mobile phones. It might be worth you investigating vehicle installation work in Fire/Police/Ambulance vehicles or a local broadcast radio station. If you are anywhere near a port or marina perhaps marine radio would interest you? FWIW, a lot of people in the trade are also hams, it might be worth getting involved in a local club and doing some networking, you may be surprised with what turns up.
Cool.
Witam, bardzo ciekawa prezentacja oraz dużo przydatnych informacji, używam kilku różnych modeli BIRD-43 i zrobiłem wiele badań oraz porównań z innymi miernikami mocy, takimi jak HP-435B, HP-437B oraz kilka Marconi 6960B, używam też kilku innych mierników mocy, przeprowadziłem wiele porównań pomiędzy tymi miernikami. Czy znasz moją web site, sp5mxf.com ? Na tej witrynie opisałem bardzo dokładnie właściwości tych mierników a najciekawsze są porównania pomiędzy różnymi miernikami. Na badanie mierników mocy przeznaczyłem dużo czasu i opisane wyniki oraz porównania są efektem 2 lat pracy przy pomiarach mocy. Jestem bardzo zainteresowany pomiarami mocy mikrofal. A tu jest bezpośredni link do tego miernika:
sp5mxf.com/bird-43-thruline-rf-wattmeter/
sp5mxf.com/pomiary-mocy-w-cz/
Moja web site sp5mxf.com jest napisana w języku narodowym Polskim, co na pewno stanowi pewną trudność, lecz obecnie używając translatora google można czytać dość dokładnie teksty w różnych językach. Ja w ten sposób czytam w różnych językach, dziś są różne narzędzia i możliwości, jest łatwo. Ciekawi mnie twoja opinia na temat informacji które zamieściłem w opisach mierników mocy.
Napisałem ten komentarz po polsku, następnie użyłem translatora google żeby go przetłumaczyć na język angielski więc pewnie będą pewne problemy, lecz powinno to być w miarę zrozumiałe.
Pozdrawiam Tomasz
I wonder how accurate the peak reading is with these boards ??
i have the same board and my radio (CB) does 1w dead key then peaks just over 25w (using a 25w slug and lowering it to 1w for test purposes)
now even at full power the radio only does 10w, so where does it magically find the extra 15w from ?? fresh air..
Having an 1w dead key and 25w pep indicates some kind of non-linear peaking going on with the modulator. If the modulator were perfectly linear, the PEP would never be greater than 4x the dead key power. One way to see for sure would be view the RF envelope on an oscilloscope and the signal's frequency content on a spectrum analyzer.