PowerConvert is a simple RF power calculator. It has only one window and all value entry and result presentation is in that window. The process to use PowerConvert is quite simple and is outlined in the following steps.

1. Select the quantity you want to specify using one of the four radio buttons in the top line of the window. The caption of left most edit field in the second line will then change to match the radio button selection. Other edit field captions may also change.
2. Enter the value in the left most edit field of the second line of controls in the window. The two edit fields labeled "Rsource" and "Rload" show "50" but are disabled so they cannot be changed until something is entered in the first edit field. Likewise, the edit fields in the third line of controls are disabled (and empty) until something is entered in the initial data field.
3. Once a value has been entered in the first data field and followed by an "return" on a Mac or "enter" on a PC, values are displayed in the bottom row of edit fields. This bottom row of edit fields remaines disbled because you cannot enter a new value into any of them, yourself.
4. If you now wish to change either the generator source resistance or the load resistance, you can do so. The program assumes that the generator voltage is twice the voltage determined in the third step. When the load or source resistance is changed, it assumes that the generator voltage remains unchanged and it simply computes new output values.
5. This simple application does NOT handle current signal sources properly.

PowerConvert is cross-platform in a limited sense. There is a PowerConvert.zip which contains a Windows (tm) version of PowerConvert. PowerConvert.sit contains a Mac OS9 (Classic) version. There should be a Mac OSX and linux version soon. PowerConvert was created with an old version of RealBasic, a powerful cross-platform programming tool; newer versions of RealBasic, which I don't yet have, also create OSX-native and linux executables.

Upgrades are planned in the very near future to improve three areas: (1) handle current-source generators, and, (2) allow for reactive load impedances, and (3) compute the VSWR and return loss for the specified load impedance.

PowerConvert is free. Until I can find a suitable ftp server, e-mail ORE to get your copy; please specify Windows or MacOS version. The attachement is about 500K for either version. ORE would also appreciate suggestions you might have.

Thanks for stopping by.

James Wagner, Chief Engineer, Oregon Research Electronics

Updated September, 2007