Switching between 2 RF couplers, anybody?
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:53 am
Re-did the math that Scott had provided, to determine good RF attenuation levels.
I do have an Xtronic coupler sampling at -44dB (+an adjustable sampler combo) that I can use with all of my amps. I just like the idea of having to manually switch among antennas, depending on the band. One of the amps (RF2K-S Solid State) has an internal coupler sampling at -55dB (this works with all 4 ANT OUTS) and there is no need for any manual ANT switching.
Now, looking at the math, at 1,500W out, I need to have an RF sample attenuated by 47.76dB and, at 1,000W out, the sample needs to be 46dB attenuated.
Regardless of amp (assuming that the SWR is 1:1), wouldn't an RF sample at -55dB be too high and PS might have difficulty correcting? Granted, I haven't too much trouble. However, on some bands I can't put out more than max 1,000W out which suggests that the RF coupler output is 9dB too high. Consequently, I am seeing red and yellow flashing fairly frequently before it turns green when I am putting out max 1,000W. I am hitting 0 or even 3 at times with the meter in the "ALC Group" position.
Perhaps, I have the Xtronic coupler/adjustable combo and the internal to the RF2K-S amp on an SMA switch, so that depending on which band I am on, I switch between the 2 RF couplers for "optimal" correcting. Or, am I overthinking this again ?
Juha
NI2M
I do have an Xtronic coupler sampling at -44dB (+an adjustable sampler combo) that I can use with all of my amps. I just like the idea of having to manually switch among antennas, depending on the band. One of the amps (RF2K-S Solid State) has an internal coupler sampling at -55dB (this works with all 4 ANT OUTS) and there is no need for any manual ANT switching.
Now, looking at the math, at 1,500W out, I need to have an RF sample attenuated by 47.76dB and, at 1,000W out, the sample needs to be 46dB attenuated.
Regardless of amp (assuming that the SWR is 1:1), wouldn't an RF sample at -55dB be too high and PS might have difficulty correcting? Granted, I haven't too much trouble. However, on some bands I can't put out more than max 1,000W out which suggests that the RF coupler output is 9dB too high. Consequently, I am seeing red and yellow flashing fairly frequently before it turns green when I am putting out max 1,000W. I am hitting 0 or even 3 at times with the meter in the "ALC Group" position.
Perhaps, I have the Xtronic coupler/adjustable combo and the internal to the RF2K-S amp on an SMA switch, so that depending on which band I am on, I switch between the 2 RF couplers for "optimal" correcting. Or, am I overthinking this again ?
Juha
NI2M