Paul --
The start of the detailed technical report on the Orion states that ARRL's
test equipment calibration is checked annually to a
NIST reference. The same test equipment is used as for other transceiver
testing but the staff person may change over the years. I
would expect that tests conducted many years ago may not be perfectly
comparable due to changes in test apparatus or technician.
-- Eric K3NA
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Paul Christensen,
Esq.
Sent: 2003 December 13 10:47
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Re: K2 beats Orion
Thanks Cliff,
I just read the ARRL's Test Procedures Manual and while detail is provided
with respect to individual procedures, as far as I can see, the document
does not address equipment calibration prior to each test, traceability to
known references, and "time-between-calibration" procedures. The document
is incomplete without such necessary detail.
For example, when we're comparing numbers that are ever so close in
performance, as in the case of the K2 v. Orion, what has happened to the
test equipment between the time it measured the performance of the K2 a
couple years ago and a recently tested Orion?
- Is the same serial number equipment used?
- How many times has the equipment been calibrated to a NIST reference?
- Was the same operator conducting the tests?
- And were those tests repeatable?
The Manual does not appear to address these important issues. They're
important when were discussing the kind of razor-edge close numbers were
seeing under the microscope of the Product Review.
I don't mean to devaluate the importance of the League's current testing
procedure...it is just that more information is required in the Manual to
absolutely believe the information presented.
-Paul, W9AC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cliff" <csegar@mindspring.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2003 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Re: K2 beats Orion
> At 08:00 AM 12/13/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >Anyone know if the League has documented and disclosed its step-by-step
> >Product Review testing methods and procedures?
>
> IF you are a member (and I hope you are) you can go to
> <http://www.arrl.org/tis/> and go down to "The ARRL Lab Test Procedures
> Manual describes the test methods used by the ARRL Lab for Product Review
> testing. (1,509,134 bytes, PDF file)" and download the entire manual. The
> League doesn't hide anything and is very above board in all their tests
and
> procedures. The procedures were developed with the input of some very
> top-notch hams engineers. Ed Hare & crew want their work to be relevent
and
> accurate.
>
> de KD4GT
>
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