4170newbie - lost features, outdated help/manuals?

[w9zv]

Just did my first scan tonight with the 4170 - trying to use the functions menu - but functions referenced in help files (dated mar '08) are not present in menu pull-down (antenna bw) and some items in current pull-down not documented.

how to either get a current manual in pdf form -or- updated help files I know how engineers hate to document things...

-bob

[g3nrw]

Hi Bob

The current software package, including documentation, is at:

www.w5big.com/prog_update.htm

--
73
Ian, G3NRW

[w0qe]

Bob,

You are correct about the built in help being pretty out of date but the supplied documentation file is much more recent. For version 6.85 (current version) of the software the supplied documentation file is dated March 16, 2009.

Most of the features are pretty easy to use without documentation but I hardly ever use any of the functions such as Antenna Bandwidth, Q measurement, 1/4 wave stub, etc. All the information these functions provide is available in the basic scan. For example the Zo of a transmission line is equal to the square root of the product of the reflected impedances when the test line is open and shorted at the far end. Sure the function may be easier to use but understanding the solution without using the function provides the most understanding IMHO.

73, Larry W0QE

[w9zv]

Tnx guys - i had already downloaded the 685 release (should have mentioned that) - that was the first thing I did. And yes, like always, I read the manual last. As w0qe said, its pretty straightforward to use and not a lot of manual reading is needed.

However, even in the PDF there (dated Mar 16 2009) the statements I made in my first post remain. E.G. - PDF file talks about a "bandwidth" function - but that is missing from the Menu pull down. Conversely, the sweep and sync functions ARE in the Menu, but not in the dox. Its hard to understand how something could get eliminated other than a simple error on the compile/build cycle. With large monitors in common use these days, would be nice to be able to drag the plots/display to be larger so that this stuff could be posted in the display rather than in a pop-up menu.

Yes, i can calculate bandwidth, but i thought thats why I have a computer so I dont have to. Having a set of Santa's Little Helpers is nice.

this is going to be a great learning tool as I have forgotten so much of this stuff since Skoool Dayze.

[Bob]

The "Antenna Bandwidth" function is on the Function menu tab.
The "Distance to Fault" function will find the Zo of an open or shorted cable.

The size of the graph can be made larger or smaller by using the screen width and height parameters in the config file. The Smith charts can also be resized in this manner.

-- Bob