[600MRG] Q meters

[Rudy Severns]

Old Boonton/HP Q-meters (160A or 260A) should go for $50-$100 at flea
markets.  The newer but well used HP4342A Q-meters should only be $200 or
so.  EBay is of course the high priced place to look but I saw few under
$100 in a quick check.  Keep your eyes open and shop around!  Once you have
one of these in hand you can really work on improving your coil Q's and also
having the correct numbers for analysis.  

 

In most amateur antennas efficiency will be dominated by loading inductor
loss.  Knowing and improving the Q is the key to efficiency once you have
the vertical as high possible with as much top-loading as possible.   Of
course that's at 630m, at 2200m it will be overwhelming the case. 

 

73, Rudy N6LF