[net.ham-radio] PEP RULE QUESTION

rjr@mgweed.UUCP (09/27/83)

I have a question on the new FCC rule regarding PEP power measurement.
It seems to me the wording is aufully confusing on their definition
of what PEP is. I don't have the text of the Report & Order in front
of me, but in the same sentence they talk about "average", "crest"
and "peak". To me, PEP is not an average power but the instantaneous
peak at the crest (highest value) of the cycle. How does the word
"average" get into this??????????

Bob K9EUI

michaelk@tekmdp.UUCP (Michael Kersenbrock) (09/28/83)

The power rule, as I would interpret it (not necessarily the same way
as the FCC) is that they are talking about peak average power, NOT 
peak-instantaneous power.  The hint of this is the "E" in PEP. It is
peak ENVELOPE power.  The envelope is in that viewpoint of the waveform
where the signal is going up-and-down at the *audio* rate, not the
14 Mhz up-and-downing.  It is this envelope that is 4x carrier power on AM.
"At" the peak of the envelope, you have MANY 14 Mhz cycles, and it it
the average power of this level (not peak instantaneous) that is being
specified. So you have (Erms)(Erms)/(Rant) =< 1500 Watts where Erms is at 
the peak of the *envelope*.  In the case of cw, the "peak" of the envelope
is when the key is down.

Mike Kersenbrock WB4IOJ
Tektronix Microcomputer Development Products
Aloha, Oregon