Immersion RC RF Power Meter User guide

ImmersionRC | ImmersionRC RF Power Meter

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ImmersionRC RF Power Meter

Oper ato r’ s M anu a l
October 2013 Edition, Preliminary

ImmersionRC | ImmersionRC RF Power Meter

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WARNING: Do not exceed the maximum input power level of 0dBm, or permanent
damage may be caused.

Overview

The ImmersionRC RF Power Meter is a hand-held, self-contained, RF Power meter, for signals in the
1MHz-8GHz range, with power levels from -50dBm to 0dBm. An external attenuator extends this range
to allow the testing of pulsed, and CW transmitters.

It has a number of uses, including:

- Validation of power levels emitted from CW (continuous wave) downlinks, on 1.2, 2.4, 5.8GHz

- Validation of power levels emitted from UHF uplinks (pulsed RF, FHSS)

- Field testing of FPV equipment

- Antenna testing, radiation pattern measurements

Specification

- 1MHz thru 8GHz, calibrated on common bands used for FPV/UAV

- -50dBm thru 0dBm power level without attenuator

- Programmable attenuator setting, readout corrected

- USB, or DC power jack power source, 6V-16V

- Calibrated against traceable test equipment at > 100 frequency/power combinations.

- Standard high-quality SMA connector

- Un-attenuated VSWR: <1.5:1 below 1GHz, <1.7:1 1GHz -> 8GHz.

- Attenuated VSWR: <1.05:1 below 1GHz, <1.5:1 1GHz -> 8GHz (typical)

o Note that the Attenuated VSWR depends primarily on the performance of the attenuator

used. The value shown here is typical using the 30dB attenuator shipped with the meter.

Attenuators

The power meter, without an external attenuator, is suitable for testing antennas, plotting radiation
patterns, etc.

For use testing the power output of A/V transmitters, R/C equipment, UHF links, etc., an external
attenuator must be used. This will drop the power level down to a level that the power meter can
measure, without being damaged.

When choosing attenuators, it is advisable to ensure that the frequency range exceeds that which will
be measured with the meter. Cheaper attenuators may well be calibrated at lower frequencies, but at

2.4GHz/5.8GHz, they will introduce measurement errors.