RF Circuits

This circuit is a simple RF field meter. It will be in great help to tune transmitters for best performances. Not everyone has a power meter, and how can you know that the antenna you connect is purely 50 ohm. The next block diagram show you one easy way to measure the RF field strength. To the left you find a dipole antenna.


The antenna should be cut to match the receiving frequency. The length of antenna is not a critical at all.


The RF signal is then rectified in a diode and the DC voltage is then amplified in an OP-amplifier. To display the voltage I use a panel meter. The amplifier gain can be set with a potentiometer and I have also added a bias voltage to set the zero level of panel meter.

How To Use RF Field meter

• Place the RF field meter 5 meter away from my transmitter.
• Then put all variable capacitor to middle.
• Switch on the transmitter and go to my RF filed meter.
• Then set the gain (with potentiometer) so I get half of max reading on the panel meter.
• Then switch off the transmitter and set the offset (with other potentiometer) so I get zero reading on the panel meter.
• Repeat this tuning process unit it looks good.

Now I can start tuning the transmitter and watch the panel meter. All I need to do is to tune for max reading on the panel meter. Then I know the RF field is at max strength. I also advice you too receive the signal you are transmitting to check that it sound good. I also check the current to the transmitter so it don't get to high.

Usually the current go down when good tuning has been done and you got max power. Another good thing to monitor is the temperature of the transistors. Don't let them go to hot.

I find my RF field meter to be a very simple and powerful too. This RF filed meter works from 30mW to several watt.

RF Field Meter Schematic
At the bottom left corner you will see a voltage divider. This divider is to produce a virtual ground of 4.5VDC. Above you will find the dipole antenna. The dipole antenna will pick up some radiated energy and the diode will rectify the RF signal to a DC voltage at VRF. This voltage is still quit low and needs to be amplified before it can control the panel meter.


The signal then enter the OP which amplifies the voltage to suitable level set by the "Gain" potentiometers". The second OP acts as a voltage follower and set the offset (zero) for the panel meter. The panel meter is connected to the board via two wires (5meter long).

To prevent any RF signal to be induced in this long wire I have added 2 ferrite block which will act as high impedance units. You can use any ferrite block or large inductor (10uH).

Source: RF Field Meter