New latest Simple SWR Meter 2.4 GHz 20 dB Directional Coupler


Posted on Feb 5, 2014

Here is a simple 2. 4 GHz SWR meter which can be easily found, which is based around surplus microwave hardware. The main component is a MECA -20/-20 dB Directional Coupler which has a frequency range of approximately 700 MHz to 2. 5 GHz. This particular directional coupler above has two ports, each coupled by 20 dB. What that means is, a signal is


New latest Simple SWR Meter 2.4 GHz 20 dB Directional Coupler
Click here to download the full size of the above Circuit.

"coupled" to these ports which is identical to the main signal passing through the directional coupler, only it`s attenuated by 20 dB. By placing diode detectors on the outputs of these two ports and comparing the resulting voltages on an oscilloscope, you can quickly determine the integrity of your antenna system in reference to 50 ohms. Be sure to measure SWR at the antenna! Feedline loss will attenuate the signal and give you a false SWR reading if you measure it directly at the transmitter`s RF output. Don`t be like those guys at Field Day who brag about their radio`s (internal) SWR reading when connected to a homebrew antenna with 200 feet of Radio Shack RG-58 and banana clips. Also, don`t trust "analog" movement reading SWR meters when dealing with digital data transmitters. The needle response time isn`t fast enough to provide an accurate reading. Overview of the hardware components used. The directional coupler is the large blue thing. A N-connector female-to-female adapter is needed to connect the Narda 5 Watt, 50 ohm load. The diode detectors are the silver things on top. They both are identical and house 1N23 point-contact diodes. Their voltage output is via integrated BNC connectors. Close up view of the diode detectors. They are sometimes referred to as "crystal" detectors. 1N23-style diodes can be hard to find. Fair Radio does carry them. You can also find them used as mixer diodes in some 10 GHz...




Leave Comment

characters left:

New Circuits

.

 


Popular Circuits

Nicad Battery Charger
Programable Board with 32K RAM
High Voltage AC Calibrator Circuit Using Op Amp
How to make an Astable or Free running Multi vibrator using 741 Op-Amp
amp variable output switching regulator lm195
Mitsubishi: I am putting a hydraulic thumb on my excavator heads
interfacing 2x16 lcd with spartan 6 fpga
MICROPOWER METAL DETECTOR
FET BALANCED MODULATOR FOR SSB
DIGITAL pH METER
CD47 (Rodan) Nixie Tube Clock
ISO102 and OPA27 schematic configuration measuring DC current 500VDV
Automatic winding circuitry



Top