What instrument is most accurate when checking antennas and transmission lines at the operating frequency of the antenna?
• Difference between time domain and frequency domain measurements • What type of meter is normally used in-line with a transmitter and antenna at the working RF frequency • Which instruments are designed for DC/low frequency vs RF transmission line work
• For each choice, ask yourself: does this instrument normally operate at the actual transmit frequency and measure power/standing wave ratio in the antenna line? • Which of these tools is typically used by radio operators or technicians to tune and verify antennas while the transmitter is on the air? • Which options are mainly used to find cable faults or measure voltage/resistance, rather than to accurately check performance at the operating RF frequency?
• Eliminate any instrument that mainly measures DC or very low frequency quantities (volts/ohms) and is not designed for RF lines. • Consider which device is commonly placed between the transmitter and antenna to read forward and reflected power at the operating frequency. • Be sure you understand what a time domain reflectometer and a frequency-domain reflectometer/network analyzer are usually used for (cable characteristics vs. on-air operational checks).
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