Unit 5 — Verification and Logging

TM-INST-010 — Open Handout TM Chapters: Chapter 6, Chapter 7 ELOs: Apply adjustments; perform independent verification; produce calibration log Estimated time: 45 minutes (hands-on lab)

Step 1: Read the TM

Open TM-INST-010. Read Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 completely.

Then come back here.

Chapter 6 — Tuning and Adjustment

Frequency Axis Check

  • Measure WWV/CHU or FM carrier frequency.
  • Compare to published frequency.

  • If your analyzer supports frequency offset adjustment, apply correction.

            Impedance/SWR Check

  • Connect the 50 ohm load.

  • The analyzer should read close to 50 ohm and low SWR.

  • Connect the shorted stub and locate the resonance dip; compare to expected.

            Trim and Iterate

  • If stub resonance is off, trim length in small increments.

  • Re-check until resonance aligns within expected tolerance.

Chapter 7 — Verification

Verification Checklist

  • Re-measure the reference carrier after calibration.
  • Measure a second independent reference (FM vs WWV/CHU).

  • Confirm measurements are stable across 3-5 repetitions.

            Acceptance Targets

  • Frequency accuracy: within 0.1-1 ppm of reference.

  • Load accuracy: within 1-2% of 50 ohm.

Calibration vs. Verification

These are two different things:

Calibration (Chapter 5): You apply reference inputs and record what the instrument reads. You may adjust the instrument during this process. The result is a set of measurements taken while you are actively tuning.

Verification (Chapter 7): After all adjustments are complete, you perform an independent confirmation measurement. You do not adjust during verification — you are testing whether the calibration held.

The TM states a verification criterion of: 2% of 50 ohm. Confirm the exact wording in Chapter 7.

If verification fails, you do not re-adjust and re-verify in one step. You return to Chapter 5, re-calibrate, and then re-verify from scratch.

Lab Checklist

Work through this with equipment in hand. Check each box when complete.

  • [ ] Chapter 4 setup complete
  • [ ] Chapter 5 calibration procedure complete
  • [ ] Any adjustments applied per Chapter 6
  • [ ] Chapter 7 verification measurement performed
  • [ ] Verification criterion met

  • [ ] Calibration log entry completed:

  • [ ] Re-measure the reference carrier after calibration.

  • [ ] Measure a second independent reference (FM vs WWV/CHU).
  • [ ] Confirm measurements are stable across 3-5 repetitions.
  • [ ] Frequency accuracy: within 0.1-1 ppm of reference.
  • [ ] Load accuracy: within 1-2% of 50 ohm.

Self-Check Questions

SC5-1. What is the verification acceptance criterion per Chapter 7? State it with units.

SC5-2. What is the difference between the Chapter 5 calibration and the Chapter 7 verification?

SC5-3. Your Chapter 7 verification fails. What is the correct next step per the TM?

SC5-4. List the required entries in the calibration log.

SC5-5. Why must the log be completed before the calibration is considered finished?

Answer Key

SC5-1. See TM Chapter 7. Copy the criterion exactly with units and section number.

SC5-2. Chapter 5 is the active calibration — you apply references and may adjust. Chapter 7 is an independent confirmation after all adjustments are locked in — no further adjustment during verification.

SC5-3. Return to Chapter 5 and re-calibrate. Do not re-adjust and re-verify without re-doing the full calibration procedure.

SC5-4. See TM Chapter 7. List every item the TM specifies.

SC5-5. A calibration with no record did not happen in any traceable sense. The log is the evidence that the procedure was followed, the results were within specification, and who performed it.

Checkpoint

TLO-1 is complete when: - [ ] Verification criterion met (Chapter 7) - [ ] Calibration log entry completed with all required fields - [ ] You can explain the difference between calibration and verification

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