15
The instrument is giving readings that
surprise me. Are they correct?
Our extensive tests have shown that the
Acoustimeter readings usually give a good
indication of the microwave levels present.
Measuring pulsing RF signals over a wide
frequency range is extremely difficult to do.
Even professional instruments costing many
thousands of pounds have quite large error
margins. How you should add all the various
frequencies and waveforms is a large debate on
its own. Different meters may well give different
readings depending on what is being measured.
Many budget meters incorrectly display a high
peak power derived from peak signal strength as
if it were a CW signal.
It still makes a noise when inside a
headnet or behind my screening
The audio section of the Acoustimeter is
sensitive so even low signals can seem quite
loud. Check the figures that the Acoustimeter is
displaying.
A 99.9% reduction of 100000 µW/m
2
to 10
µW/m
2
(a 2 V/m signal reduced to 0.05 V/m)
will still be showing and sounding on the meter.
Close to transmitting sources it is likely that you
will still hear something.
The screening material may have degraded over
time, or you may have a gap in your screening.
Even small gaps (including above and below
you) will let in microwave signals.
