Virtual SWR meter

[Need2Know]

Is there any such thing as software that displays SWR without the need for a physical meter? Is it physically possible for software to do this?

Leave it to a newbie to ask this kind of question.:blink:

 

[W5LZ]

I would imagine that there could be. It would have to do the 'sampling' like a 'real' meter, so basically would only be a difference in how the results of that sampling was done. Would that be a 'virtual' meter?
- 'Doc

 

[RatsoW8]

Is there any such thing as software that displays SWR without the need for a physical meter? Is it physically possible for software to do this?

Leave it to a newbie to ask this kind of question.:blink:

You'll always need the "physical" part of the swr meter actually in-line measuring the swr. No way around that. Then you would need an interface and software to display the results on a PC. Linky below to a unit that does this.

Wavenode SWR and RF wattmeter with computer graphics and DC power monitoring. Complete with SWR protection and high power remote sensor. Also includes audio and voice announcement of RF power and SWR.

 

[Need2Know]

No cost savings there. I wonder what's involved in the physical sensor - why it has to be so pricey? Lack of economies of scale? Complex circuitry? My guess is the former.

I would think there could be some significant cost saving in a sensor/software combination by eliminating the physical meters, controls and some circuitry that could be handled by software.

But I suppose the least cost is in the physical hardware. The most cost is for recouping the design, tooling, assembly, marketing, and distribution cost. Even if fully "virtual", the marketing and distribution costs are still significant.