Transmit performance of 2m hand held transceivers reported relative field strength measurements for some transceiver / antenna combinations.
This article documents a more careful measurement of the absolute field strength of one combination, and application of that knowledge to the other results.
Measurements of field strength were done with Lou Destefano’s (VK3AQZ) VK3AQZ RF power meter (RFPM1) and a small loop antenna.
Above, the RFPM1 RF power meter.
Above is the small loop used for field strength measurement. It is 2mm hard drawn round copper wire formed into a circle 185mm in circumference, and a common mode choke is used to connect the loop to the RFPM1 power sensor. The common mode choke is 0.6m of RG58C/U with 0.5m of ferrite sleeves over it and its loss is accounted for in the “Other Loss” item.
Above is a calculation of loop Antenna Factor using Calculate small loop Antenna Factor.
The received power, Antenna Factor, transmitter power and distance to the transmitter antenna can be used to calculate transmit antenna gain.
Above is a calculation using FSC. The value of Tx antenna gain that produces the measured Rx power is -5.3dBi.
All three transmitters have different power. The table below reports power into a 50Ω load and does not take account of mismatch with the various antennas.
Above a comparison of the configurations on a field strength test at 1λ. The relative column factors the different transmitter power and FS to obtain a comparative figure independent of power. Mismatch is almost certainly a significant part of the explanation of different performance, but it is quite difficult to measure in this sort of application without disrupting the DUT.