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SWR\Power meter
- Thread starter RT431
- Start date
You, sir, are the Man!
Q-tip + Isoropyl Alcohol = Meter that performs like new!!!
Wish I'd read your post before ordering that 901HP.
I got impatient. Oh well. Doesn't hurt to have a backup.
Thanks again, Low-Boy!
U am not so happy with my 901HP. The PEP is off compared to all my other meters with hold on or off. I will be curious to see how yours works.
BJ radionut
Supporting Member and 6m addict
Array Solutions ..... PowerMaster II ....... one of the best ......
Been using these for several years. I have one set up with two couplers, one after the radio, one after the amplifier ......
I have a total of 3 of the Powermaster II meters.
And yes, I also have a couple of the Daiwa meters. they're okay.
And I also have 3 fairly new Bird 43P meters.
The Powermaster II meters are absolute, and instataneous....
Some of the Many Features
Set up any of the functions of the meter which include:
Been using these for several years. I have one set up with two couplers, one after the radio, one after the amplifier ......
I have a total of 3 of the Powermaster II meters.
And yes, I also have a couple of the Daiwa meters. they're okay.
And I also have 3 fairly new Bird 43P meters.
The Powermaster II meters are absolute, and instataneous....
Some of the Many Features
- ALC-1 - ALC protection option, shuts down your transmitter fast but yet allows ALC normal operation
- FASTEST Bar graph on the Market, makes tuning an amp or a tuner a joy, faster than an analog meter. So fast it can catch the first "dit" at 99 WPM and even show you if your rig has a RF spike problem. Why mess around with other meters that have have had display failures?
- Displays VSWR, Power, and Bar graph at the same time.
- Support for BLIND Hams via www.hampod.com
- Runs with or without a PC connected to it. That means there are no programming hassles and issues setting this meter up.
- Runs right out of the box.
- Accuracy typically better than +/- 3% over frequency and temperature ranges
- Commercial couplers available for VHF and UHF commercial bands
- Peak Hold Modes – programmable for fast(1/2 sec), medium, slow, and Long ( 5 sec) for CW, SSB, data, FM, whatever you're sending!
- Two Models – 3 kW and 10 kW - standard coverage is 160 through 6m (1.8 to 54 MHz)
- Separate Display and Coupler/Sensor boxes– Sensor can be remotely located at your amp or in your mobile unit this also keeps the high power cables away from your radios, audio equipment, PCs etc. No nasty RF cables on top of your desk or radio to cause RFI and other clutter issues! The coupler is using DC only, no RF is sent to the meter. A good thing!
- Remote use, even 100 feet of cable between sensor and display has no drop in power measurement.
- Multiple couplers on one display - the PM II supports two couplers without any external adapters.
- VSWR Alarm – programmable trip point, LED and Relay – Can shut down your amp fast
- Power Alarm - programmable trip point, LED and Relay - Alerts you that your amp has tripped out
- Alarms can maintain until manually reset, or you can program an auto alarm reset
- Bar Graph – Operates in two modes, Auto Ranging Power and VSWR you can peak your amp sending dots or talking into a mic, or dip your VSWR with your tuner using dots. Easy on the tubes and efficient.
- Bar Graph in Power mode – Auto Ranging in user selectable ranges – Easy to read
- Large LCD Display – Easy to read even in bright sunlight - low energy consumtion
- Programmable from front panel or via USB or RS232 – Even display your call letters in it too!
- Free Application for your PC - Will allow remote user’s full use of meter even on the internet
- All Metal Boxes – Rack Mount Options available, 1 or 2 units in a 19” 2U panel
- Choice of connectors, SO239, Type-N, and 7/16 DIN
- Display Head Size 7” X 3 3/4" Face, 4 1/2” Deep
- Interface to any RS232 Port or USB port
Set up any of the functions of the meter which include:
- Call letters or other alpha numeric message – 16 characters long (examples above have "Array Solutions"
- Set up default VSWR alarm trigger or turn it off
- Set up default Power alarm trigger or turn it off
- Mode of operation
- Fast, med, slow
- Bar graph
- Auto range scale
- Peak, Peak plus reverse
- Bar graph mode VSWR or Power
- Forward power
- Reverse power
- VSWR
- Data in alpha numeric / bar graph – Both on screen
- Peak hold as well as real time power in bar graph
- VSWR Alarm
- Power Alarm
- Hooks to allow access to the data from another application like a contest logging program
PowerMaster has "typically" ±3% error when it leaves the factory, but how long is this typically good for once you get it and start using it? Any meter, gauge or other instrument MUST be periodically recalibrated and adjusted. The manufacturer is the one who determines how long between calibrations, procedures to be followed, standards recommended for use, and so forth. And it's never cheap.
Nothing man-made is perfect. The importance of calibration is to maintain the level of confidence we need from our lab equipment. "It matches up perfect with the Bird!" means nothing; how long has it been since the Bird was calibrated?
Nothing man-made is perfect. The importance of calibration is to maintain the level of confidence we need from our lab equipment. "It matches up perfect with the Bird!" means nothing; how long has it been since the Bird was calibrated?
Three percent sounds pretty good to me. Factory spec for the stock average-only model 43 wattmeter is eight percent accuracy.
73
73
3% is more than generous. You will loose more in the coax than what you will see on the meter. 901HP with the live reflection tells you in a second that you have a issue. 901HP is my workhorse.
It used to be five percent WHEN BRAND NEW. Navy required recalibration, along with slugs, every four months.
Adding the PEP mod is what brought the eight percent into the picture. A Bird 43P is plus or minus eight percent on PEP measurements, and five percent on AM, CW and pretty much all constant carrier modes.
LP100A. Nice!
182 reviews on eHam with perfect 5.0 out of 5 rating. Some say eHam reviews are worthless because it's just a bunch of beginners who don't know better.
I doubt many beginners start with the LP100A.
Those reviews are probably accurate in my opinion.
I actually like the Bird better. I sold a bunch of my radios and bought the LP. Bird and LP are always close. But I trust the Bird.LP100A. Nice!
182 reviews on eHam with perfect 5.0 out of 5 rating. Some say eHam reviews are worthless because it's just a bunch of beginners who don't know better.
I doubt many beginners start with the LP100A.
Those reviews are probably accurate in my opinion.