Bird 4030 element

[Syncopator]

Does anyone know if the model 4030 relative field strength element has an internal battery or does it depend solely on the field which it is sniffing?

Equal rights for equal responsibilities.
Equal opportunities for equal abilities.

 

[Comcokid]

Since nobody has replied, I will throw in my partial knowledge.

Standard mechanical-meter Bird Wattmeters do not use batteries. The plug-in wattmeter element is a RF detector with diode. The rectified RF output of this element drives the meter.

The Bird wattmeter is based on the principle of a directional coupler, with the transmission line portion of the coupler in the body of the meter, and the coupled element with a detector in the plug-in element. Reversing the element by 180 degrees allows you to measure the forward and reverse - similar to reversing a coupler.

If the wattmeter is subjected to too much RF power for the element plugged-in the diode will get fried. Some amateur radio operators buy damaged elements, drill the rivets, and replace the diodes. Afterwards, the accuracy is suspect, but is more than adequate for hobby use.

 

[VEBill]

http://www.google.com/search?q=Bird+4030+battery

First hit leads to:

http://www.chuckmartin.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cat=10

"Internal 3V Lithium-Manganese Dioxide batteries. (Duracell DL2032 or equivalent)"

2032 are one of those $.25 sized button cells.

 

[Syncopator]

Thank you Comcokid. I did know that. The 4030 is different. It doesn't use the directional properties of the host meter plus plug-in arangement.

Yes VE1BLL, I too found that link.

Thank you both once again.

Equal rights for equal responsibilities.
Equal opportunities for equal abilities.