When installing a satellite dish, it can be extremely inconvenient to direct the dish at the wrong area of the sky, especially if you don't realize the error until you're trying to watch a channel that just won't come in. And trying to maximize signal str
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Where can I find a good schematic for a RF field strength meter?
I need a RF field strength meter that can give actual numeric data (e.g. 13.5 uW/cm^3), not just a needle that moves in the presence of a good transmitter. It doesn't have to be digital though, it just has to be able to give actual data (an ammeter and a good deduction formula works well, for example). If possible, make it as simple as can be. It doesn't have to be laboratory grade precise, but it must be fairly precise. Note: it has to be able to work with AM band transmitters.
There is no cheap way to do this. You need a calibrated horn antenna and a spectrum analyzer. These are available from Agilent.com, at a price. I have seen people get an ordinary AM radio and measure the AGC voltage. You have to glue a meter onto the radio, and use short wires to connect it because the wires tend to act as antennas. You can calibrate this rig using a dipole antenna and a signal generator, but don't expect much accuracy. The rig was used a prop in a lecture, it is too inaccurate for any real world use that I can think of.
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What instrumentation and method do I use to measure the RF strength from my antenna?
I am an amateur radio operator and I would like to know how to measure the actual RF strength my 2 meter mobile antenna is putting out. I have the equations to calculate the theoretical RF...but how do I measure it?
You can buy a field strength meter http://www.aesham.com/display_pages/swr1.shtml $20 and $30 from Amateur Electronic Supply or make one http://freecircuitdiagram.com/2009/02/02/another-rf-field-strength-meter/ if you build it you will have to use a commercial one to calibrate. I am not a "HAM" but my brother and father were. Picked up a lot of info.
