Reading low power transmitter with multimeter?

[pyrofm]

Is it possible to read a 10w transmitter using a multimeter id like to know just how many watts this thing puts out?

is there any converter or somthing i can make to i can read it?

[Kage]

For Mediumwave (AM broadcast band) or Shortwave transmitters see this thread I made a while back...
darkliferadio.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=tech&action=display&thread=449
You will need to build a very simple diode/capacitor circuit and will need a 50 ohm dummyload to measure peak current. Using some simple math you can figure out wattage output by knowing the peak current value and load value (usually 50 ohms). The thread has information on how to calculate it.

If you're asking about measuring the output of a FM broadcast transmitter you're pretty much out of luck and will have to purchase a professional wattmeter made to operate at or above 88-108MHz since it's just not practical to use a multimeter and a diode circuit at such high frequencies as used by FM broadcasts.

[pyrofm]

Ahh right well ive got lots of compnents ive collected over the years such as amp meaters, voltmeters etc is there any way i could use one of those to get just a ruff estimate of output power?

and yeaa i am using FM band

[RFBurns]

Rough estimates of measuring RF power in the watt range is like flying blindfolded and no control surfaces on the wings. The main reason to have a way to measure the power going out is to see what..if any of that power is being reflected back into the transmitter. (VSWR).

There are a number of things that will cause high VSWR and not just an improper match or improperly cut and tuned antenna. A VSWR meter can tell you if your coax is ok or not, if the fittings are good or not, and of course tell you the status of the antenna system and if it is working correctly. A low VSWR can also aid in allowing low pass filters to function correctly as well. High VSWR on even an elaborate setup with a fancy low pass filter will wreak havoc across the entire spectrum...drawing unwanted attention.

My advice..get a true VSWR meter built for the band of operation. The Daiwa CN 101 is an excellent choice for the cost. Featuring dual metering for forward and reverse continuous monitoring, power range selectable.

Peace!

[sgtpeppers]

I bought this one for $10 www.ebay.ca/itm/WORKMAN-SWR-3P-DUAL-METER-SWR-POWER-WATTMETER-NEW-/370592911551?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56490f10bf

Worked excellent until I dropped it down the concrete stairs.

[Kage]

Keep in mind that the RF power meters made for CB radios usually don't display the accurate power of the much higher frequency FM transmitters.

[sgtpeppers]

I must have another model, mine is for 100mhz