AB3AP's W1 Power Meter Control Software
Like the K2 rig control software, the W1 software is written in Java
allowing the software to run on any machine that has a Java Virtual
Machine (freely downloadable from Sun
Microsystems.)
The front panel is my own creation of how I imagine a K2-like wattmeter
to look. The buttons work like on Elecraft rigs. A quick mouse
click on a button gives you the white function and a click and hold gives
you the yellow function.
Comparison Between W1 and Program
Where the Real W1 Wins
- Its readings are continuous where the software gets updates every 100
ms.
- There are many times when you need a power meter but it's not convenient
to lug a computer along.
Where the W1 Control Software Wins
- The measured results are shown to three significant figures compared
with the meter's display of one significant figure, or the equivalent
of a thousand LEDs versus ten. Since readings are accurate within 0.5 dB,
not all the digits are reliable but you do easily see trends up or down.
- The software gives you access to the eight button functions not available
except through software.
- The on-screen display indicates current W1 state.
- The software display is easier to read.
Buttons
Here are brief descriptions of the buttons. These buttons simply provide
access to existing functions in the W1. They aren't providing extended
functionality except that decay, drop, and range changing rate are also
somewhat reflected on-screen.
- RCL. Recalls from eeprom last saved user settings.
- STORE. Stores current settings in eeprom.
- RANGE. Lets you specify particular measurement range in addition to
AUTO.
- DROP. Specifies how quickly or slowly the W1 should change scales
during AUTO scaled measurements.
- PWR. Allows you to take measurements as average or PEP.
- PEAK. Set or not depending on whether you you want peak or peak-hold
readings.
- DECAY. How fast you want LED display to decay. Also used to indicate
how fast software peak-hold values should decay.
- LED. Used to turn on or off the W1 LEDs.
How It Works
In addition to responding to button pushes, the program reads the W1's
measurements for forward power, reflected power, and swr every 100 ms.
At some point I'll probably replace the swr reading with a calculation
based on the power readings. That way it'll save slow serial link time
for more frequent power readings.
Hardware Enclosures
For hardware solutions to making your W1 more usable, take a look at
the first class job by Heinz HB9BCB.
Heinz has made similarly outstanding enclosures for the other Elecraft
mini module kits.
If that looks like more work than you're ready for, consider W8FGU's site where he sells an
enclosure for the W1. It requires no modifications to the kit and is a
quick and easy install.
Hardware enclosures and this software ought to nicely enhance the
utility of your W1.
