Field strength meter

FIELD STRENGTH METER

w w w . 4 s 5 g s . g a y a n @ g m a i l . c o m

4S6GGS

This simple field strength meter is ideal for testing if your

antenna or handheld radio is working. The sensitivity

depends on the sensitivity of the meter you use, so try a few

different meters if you have a few available. I have found

that level meters out of old tape decks have good sensitivity.

If you are going to buy a meter, get a 1mA (milli-amp) meter.


4S6GGS Gayan E mail. [email protected]

This simple field strength meter is ideal for testing if your antenna or handheld radio is working. The

sensitivity depends on the sensitivity of the meter you use, so try a few different meters if you have a few

available. I have found that level meters out of old tape decks have good sensitivity. If you are going to

buy a meter, get a 1mA (milli-amp) meter.



To use

The length of antenna is not a critical at all.

Length = 0.95 x 300/(4 x freq) <= (freq = Mhz)

1. Turn on transmitter and meter; adjust R2 for peak reading. Turn off transmitter. Turn on

transmitter (with no audio modulation) and go to your monitor point(s) and take readings. Your

monitor point(s) should be many meters/yards away from your antenna,

After taking a set of readings, you can experiment with your antenna or transmitter system, then take

another set of readings and determine whether your signal strength was increased or diminished. Keep

your readings in your book. Make note of whether it’s been dry or rainy in recent days; moist soil might

give slightly better propagation.

2. Your meter can measure the low levels of radio frequency (RF) generated by a radio transmitter. You

can use these measurements to map the transmitting direction and coverage pattern of your antenna, or

to compare your radio and antenna's efficiency before and after an adjustment. You do not need to

connect the meter to the antenna or the radio to measure field strength.

It takes two people to measure field strength. For an accurate measurement, you will need to map the site

around your antenna. Then, while someone presses the radios transmit key, you will need to walk around

the site around your antenna with the meter, marking the readings you see.

Hints: In addition to the meter, we recommend you use the following items to help you measure field

strength:

Several photocopies of the template

36 objects such as rocks or weighted pieces of paper

25 feet of rope or strong cord

Calculator

Pencil

Compass

Make sure there is at least 25 feet of open space in all directions around your antenna.

Field strength meter

Design

Transcript of Field strength meter