24
Software Cont’d
SaveAs/Export/Print Dialog
This screen is accessed under the File menu. It allows saving and printing of the plot results in a variety of formats. The basic procedure for its use is to
select the file type at the top, select a destination and size, and then click export. If you select Text/Data and File as the destination, a standard Windows
explorer type file dialog will appear, where you can navigate to the folder you want and name a file, etc. When you click Export, you be given more
options for the file format. This is also the case for ClipBoard destination.
When saving pictures, JPG and PNG produce the smallest files. Also, changing the size to 500 x 414 will make smaller picture files. When Printer is
selected, the first radio button under Object Size will change to Full Page. Click on Millimeters or Inches to produce a smaller picture. Initially the size will
be half size on width and height. You can change dimensions, but you have to keep the ratio the same or the picture will be distorted. Full Page can be
useful for Smith charts if you want to add other data manually to them. Generally, half size is better. When you click on Export, you will see a standard
Windows Printer Dialog.
See Recommended Procedures for more info.
Recommended Procedures
* Select 1 sec for sampling unless you have a SteppIR antenna. Longer delays between samples allow a SteppIR to tune before samples are taken. 2-3
seconds are good. If your rig is sluggish when using a CAT program, a longer sample time is also necessary.
* If you are plotting R+jX or Z/Phase, I suggest starting with Spline off and running a sweep. If there are any sign detection errors, correct by clicking on
the bad points. It's easier to see these without Spline on. A "hand" will appear when you hover over the point. Clicking will reverse the sign. You can do
this repeatedly to toggle the point. How can you tell the sign is "bad"? Generally speaking, X or Phase never "bounce" off of zero or swing radically
through zero (like from +20 to -20) over a 50 kHz span. If this happens, reverse the first point after the bounce or error, and any others as necessary to
make a smooth curve. With a little practice it will become easy to spot a problem. You can double-check your result by looking at the Smith Chart as
well. The curve should be smooth and semi-circular. Reactance / phase will generally cross zero at a resonance point (peak or dip in Z or Resistance).
Generally, a mistake will usually only happen when the resonance point is broad or ambiguous... or very narrow as in a screwdriver antenna. After fixing
the curve, you can display other screens as you like, and save or print them. The data will remain until you run a new scan, press Reset or close the
program.
* To stop the program while in a sweep, press Stop. You may have to click it a few times for it to register.
* When saving pictures, I recommend jpg or png. For a given size picture, png will produce the smallest file. The default size is 1000 x 828. It may be
more convenient to save a quarter size picture, ie. 500 x 414. You can enter the values manually. For a text file I recommend List format, with Comma
Separated Values. This can easily be imported into Excel. Printing will be faster by selecting a choice other than Full Page, which produces a picture
size based on the screen resolution, but you can print full screen if desired. This may be useful for Smith Charts if you plan to develop a matching
network from the plot. BTW, in the future I plan to offer this feature in the program, along with transmission line transformations based on feedline length.
* Make sure any internal antenna tuner in your rig is off when making plots, or else the results will not be accurate.
* It is recommended that the CAT program, if selected, be running before starting a sweep.
* If results appear erratic, try a larger step time. I found no problem at 1 second with my K2 or TS-480S using either direct or CAT control, but other rigs
may vary.
Summary of Contents for LP-100A
Page 18: ...18 Schematic Page 1...
