A happy medium , SWR , Watt meter recommendations?

[Limeybastard]

Was hoping for a little input from you forum vets. I am currently looking at buying a SWR , Watt meter on a budget, any recommendations? Originally wanted a SWR Watt and Mod meter, but after reading reviews of a few in my price range that idea took a dump. Then I started researching Dosy for watt and swr meters, that also took a dump, again for being very innacurate. I can live with 10% plus or minus.

My current Amazon Workforce SWR watt meter took a dump, luckily it was within its 30 day return window. So on the prowl for something to show me a relative acurate SWR and W readings. Ideally Id opt for an LP100A, but cannot justify $500 price tag.

Cheers.

 

[Riverman]

Limey,
I have a Diamond SX-200. Covers HF, 6 meters and 2 meters. (1.8 to 200 MHz).
Paid $90 for it new. Very happy with it.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

What's the budget?

 

[Limeybastard]

Well its not $500 per the lp100a. 200 tops id say.

What's the budget?

 

[Tallman]

The CN-801 is versatile and relatively inexpensive.

 

[Limeybastard]

The CN-801 is versatile and relatively inexpensive.

Looks good , but so hard to find a genuine non counterfeit one.

 

[Tallman]

Looks good , but so hard to find a genuine non counterfeit one.

Buy it from a ham radio dealer here in the United States and not from eBay.

 

[9C1Driver]

For the money these are pretty decent meters, take your pic and price.

http://customcbradios.com/Workman-HP-201S-1KW-Meter-This-Meter-Works-Great-P669465.aspx

http://customcbradios.com/-Workman-HP-202-1KW-Meter-This-Meter-Works-Great-P2621166.aspx

http://customcbradios.com/-Astatic600-SWR-Power-Meter--P3101294.aspx

http://customcbradios.com/Workman-P5000-Meter-Test-Center-P671278.aspx

 

[w9cll]

http://www.cheapham.com/daiwa-cn-501h-hf-vhf-bench-meter-new-model/

 

[543_Dallas]

The modulation meter is a useless function. I wouldn't pass up a good meter because it doesn't have one. Something that reads swr, average and pep power is all you really need.

 

[Limeybastard]

For the money these are pretty decent meters, take your pic and price.

http://customcbradios.com/Workman-HP-201S-1KW-Meter-This-Meter-Works-Great-P669465.aspx

http://customcbradios.com/-Workman-HP-202-1KW-Meter-This-Meter-Works-Great-P2621166.aspx

http://customcbradios.com/-Astatic600-SWR-Power-Meter--P3101294.aspx

http://customcbradios.com/Workman-P5000-Meter-Test-Center-P671278.aspx

The workman hp201s broke , luckily within my Amazon 30 day return period which makes a pleasant change lol.

 

[Limeybastard]

Theres a daiwa 720n on ebay, this or a new 501?

 

[fourstringburn]

Daiwa meters definitely.

I use the Ameritrons AWM-35BH because I like the remote sensor that let's me mount the meter anywhere and I don't have to route the coax to it. The remote sensor stays hidden away, it just runs a Cat5 cable to the meter.

This works great for mobile and in the shack.

I wish Daiwa would make a remote sensor type.

 

[Limeybastard]

I wish there was more comparison tests between meters and their accuracies. Also, wondering why digitial readout meters are so expensive and not that popular.

 

[fourstringburn]

Most of the ones mentioned above are accurate enough but not scientific. If you want that, go with a Bird43 and you'll need different slugs for different power levels.

The cross needle meters used for Amateur frequencies I'm aware of are selectable peak reading and require 12v to operate the power meter circuit. The CB types like the Dosey and Astatic only require 12v for the meter light so I question their peak reading capability and accuracy.