Re: [VHFcontesting] Best VHF/UHF wattmeter

["Steve Tripp \(K1IIG\)" <stephen.tripp@snet.net>]

John,

I had 2 complete setups of the Wavenode product with all the sensors they 
make. I was really impressed with the software display and the ability to 
control 2 rotors. I was not happy with the accuracy. I worked with the very 
polite owner for almost a year trying to get the sensors to be more 
accurate. He did some redesign but could never get a  return loss which 
would read a 1:1. Using a good known termination the best it would read is 
1:2x. The UHF 432 and 1296 were even worse. I was testing with basically the 
same test gear he used with an HP-437 power meter. Both of us also used the 
Bird43 for comparison and he did feel they are good meters. Others will 
disagree realizing the slugs can be off. I have found a couple and real easy 
to recal the slug once you get the label removed by simply soaking in 
goo-off. I think that some improvements were had and as you mentioned, is it 
all that important with a few watts difference. The Wavenode does offer a 
lot of neat functions that I enjoyed. Wavenode took back the units and gave 
me my money back and thanked me for my effort, great customer support. At 
this point I am not sure what is the best thru-line watt meter and I am 
still using the Bird 43 which I wish the slugs weren't so expensive. Those 
not as critical as I am will enjoy the Wavenode.
Steve
K1IIG
> John,
> Bird only claims 5% accuracy at full scale for its Model 43 RF power
> meter, the model most widely used among the amateur fraternity. I would 
> say
> that Bird meters are widely used in the commercial world because of their
> robustness and flexibility, in terms of availability of a good range of
> different RF connectors and ability to measure a wide range of frequencies
> and power levels.
> If accuracy is important to you, then a meter with a digital display will
> provide you with a more accurate 'method' of display, than that of an
> analogue meter, of course, the accuracy of 'what' is displayed isn't a
> function of the display itself.
> You might consider products from Wavenode - http://www.wavenode.com/ which
> are available in a number of different models, supporting a range of power
> levels and frequencies. It's also possible to connect Wavenode meters to a
> PC making it possible to monitor multiple transmitters simultaneously.
> Is accuracy in excess of 5% actually that important though? Does it matter
> if your transmitter is running 95w or 105w instead of 100w?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On 
> Behalf
> Of John Geiger
> Sent: 16 January 2014 03:47
> To: vhf@w6yx.stanford.edu; vhfcontesting@contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Best VHF/UHF wattmeter
>
> Other than Bird, what have people found to be the most accurate VHF/UHF
> wattmeter and SWR meters?
>
> 73 John AF5CC
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