Low end SWR Meter Suggestions

[SpugEddy]

Sorry if this kind of post is somewhere else in the forum
but I can't find any that are specifically what I'm looking for.

I'm looking for a low end SWR meter that will specifically be
used in the GMRS freq. range. Looking for something low end
to start with and then gradually build up to something better, perhaps
an actual antenna tuner. I see several listed such as the MFJ-842
which does 140mhz to 525mhz. The cost is right about where I want
to be ($60.00) There are others as well as the MFJ. Workman, Red Dot
etc. Does anybody have any suggestions and hopefully some hands
on experience?

Main features I'm looking for:
Cost = $60 area
Type = I think I prefer cross needle type
Connectors = SO-239
Power = Doesn't matter since I will only be running 50 watt max. (On GMRS)

 

[quarterwave]

Bird Watt Meter. You'll spend a little more, but it's a "lifetime" purchase. I have had one for 25 years and they don't break if you take care of them...and work every time. It's like a good Crescent wrench...

I wouldn't waste my time with these little "SWR" meters....those are for CBers.

 

[popnokick]

Your budget of $60 for a cross-needle meter is going to severely constrain your choices. The least cost cross-needle meter is around $100. If you must adhere to that budget, look at the Surecom SW-102 125-525Mhz Digital VHF/UHF Antenna Power & SWR Meter for about $55 on Amazon. It's not a Bird, so consider it "disposable".

 

[KC4RAF]

Bird watt meters are good, but they are not cheap!

OP wants something in the 60 dollar range, and there are some out there that are decent. MFJ is a good one. Ham down the road from me has one and it reads the UHF/VHF antennas very well. And it isn't for CBs, as a matter of fact, it won't go down that far.
Bird, new will set you back ~$350 or more; and if all you're doing is tuning an antenna, you just don't need that kind of equipment.

edit:

here's the MFJ for ~67 bucks, and it does a good job

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MFJ-842-VHF...127380?hash=item1a07ed1414:g:CDAAAOSwVL1WCUJ2

 

[Blackswan73]

Birds are highly overrated. Unless you service radios, they are overkill. I know I own one. For just occasionally checking power, or SWR. A MFJ, Diawa, or Jet will do fine. I have compared a Diawa 801, a Diawa 801 clone, and a Diawa 802. I also have a RadioShack VHF/UHF meter that is not cross needle. All work close enough for most uses. No, they are not laboratory grade, but most hams, and radio hobbyists don't need a lab grade meter. For checking your antenna setup, or whether your radio is transmitting, they are fine. If you are not adamant about a cross needle, then that opens up even less expensive options, like Diamond, Workman, RadioShack, Nessei, etc. The RS, Nessei, and Workman meters are basically clones of the Diamond meter.
Note: I guess the Diamond is discontinued. I didn't see any on a quick check on eBay. However, I did see the Workman, Nissei, and RS varieties. The RS one is only $30. It is the same one I have. Works fine. Looks just like the others, Nissei, etc.

 

[popnokick]

The Diamond SX-40C is still readily available and NOT discontinued -
http://smile.amazon.com/Diamond-Ori...=1451578330&sr=1-1&keywords=diamond+swr+meter

 

[KC4RAF]

That is a good meter; couple of the guys in

a local club have that model and are very happy with it.
I noticed that GigaParts have it and with shipping it comes out to $87.67, ($74.95 actual price b4 shipping and handling).
SWR Meter, 144-470MHz, 15/150W
(I am not affiliated with that company, but always trying to find the cheaper buy.)
edit:
just talked to Tom and he said be careful of the Workman and Redot brands. They were off by about 1.5 to 2.0 on their readings. Not a lot but still...

 

[Blackswan73]

edit:
just talked to Tom and he said be careful of the Workman and Redot brands. They were off by about 1.5 to 2.0 on their readings. Not a lot but still...

I bet he is talking about the digital ones, since that is Redot's main product, and Workman has come up with a clone. I can't imagine an analog meter off that much. Since you can calibrate analog meters pretty easy. I have had no personal experience with the digital meters.

 

[Blackswan73]

Ah, yes, the Diamond I was referring to is the single needle SX27. There are several clones of this meter including the RS Micronta version. I bought my RS version new in box for $25. There is one on eBay now for $30. They work fine. I haven't used the Workman version, but since it is just another clone, I can't see how it would be much different. In fact, they are probably made in the same factory. I know that was the case with other RS products. They were made in the same facility as the product it was cloned from, radios, remotes, sound equipment, etc.

 

[cmdrwill]

To measure standing birds on your antenna, use a Bird wattmeter.... The Pro's choice.

 

[SpugEddy]

After reading some other forums and a lot of product
reviews, I've decided to increase my budget for a meter.
I am only using this for simply checking out antenna installs.
Once I get things where I like them, I leave them. (if it's not
broken, don't fix it) I don't want to spend $60 for something
that really isn't gonna work or gives me reading that I don't
trust. Since I'll only have 1 SWR meter, I need to be able to
trust that it's fairly accurate. I'm thinking on a budget of about
$100 now. I am looking at the Jetstream JTWVU. I looks to
be what I'm looking for and I'm seeing some good reviews.
Anybody have any experience with this meter?

 

[Skypilot007]

After reading some other forums and a lot of product
reviews, I've decided to increase my budget for a meter.
I am only using this for simply checking out antenna installs.
Once I get things where I like them, I leave them. (if it's not
broken, don't fix it) I don't want to spend $60 for something
that really isn't gonna work or gives me reading that I don't
trust. Since I'll only have 1 SWR meter, I need to be able to
trust that it's fairly accurate. I'm thinking on a budget of about
$100 now. I am looking at the Jetstream JTWVU. I looks to
be what I'm looking for and I'm seeing some good reviews.
Anybody have any experience with this meter?

I have the same meter except my says Diamond on the front of it. I've had no problems with it. I'm uncertain who actually makes it.

 

[SteveC0625]

If you shop around, you can find the Diamond SX-400 for $100. It measures SWR, forward power and reflected power. Handles 140-220 Mhz and 400-525 Mhz. It's not perfect, but more than adequate to quickly check a mobile or base install. If it doesn't measure reasonably OK with the Diamond, I can always bring out the big guns. It fits perfectly in my shallow equipment and parts tote which makes it even more attractive.

Add the essential multimeter, and you've got a darned good set of gear to check the average hobby install.

 

[SpugEddy]

I ordered the Jetstream JTWVU SWR / Power Meter
last night. Not a bad price. I got it for $79.00. Like I stated
earlier, I'm starting off with something low end and will
eventually upgrade as time goes on. That's exactly what I
did for all of my 10 and 11 meter stuff. I think my first SWR
meter was a Radio Shack Micronta that did SWR, Power, and
Modulation. Then I stepped up 2 or 3 times until I finally ended
up with the Dosy TC3001-P which is the same (SWR, Power, Modulation)
I also use an separate antenna tuner. I came to learn that CB stands
for Constantly Buying. I guess UHF stands for Ultra High Financing.
Anyway, getting back to the OP, I will update to let
everybody know how the meter works out. Thanks for all the help

 

[Gashliquor]

Most ppl with VSWR meters including a Bird with the meter on the radio coax end are reading some sort of VSWR but it's incorrect reading anyway,

If your feed point isn't 50 ohm at the antenna without coax your reading already at the radio is incorrect.


Your antenna must be 50 ohms at the feed point, your radio 50 ohms and coax 50 ohms


Even better 1/2 wave multiples of coax with a known VF cut at your Freq with the above said will read the same any where in the line. At the radio or at the antenna. or else coax loss makes the meter read better VSWR then what it really is.


That's why owning a antenna analyzer and using a Bird slug in reverse puts the VSWR meter as almost worthless, You can't measure X= Reactance on any VSWR meter. There is more to VSWR then a reading that can be incorrect.

 

[quarterwave]

"Bird, new will set you back ~$350 or more; and if all you're doing is tuning an antenna, you just don't need that kind of equipment."

And what else is he going to do with a $60 "SWR" meter?

 

[quarterwave]

Yep.

 

[linboogy]

I have a Jetstream that was almost 50 percent inaccurate. Caused a lot of unnecessary trouble shooting. I also have a friend that has the same problem with a Jet Stream. Even told the local dealer about the problem and he said its a known issue spite the fact that he still sells them.

 

[SpugEddy]

Just a follow up to my original post.
So far so good. I had somebody compare my meter's
SWR reading to his MFJ Digital. He said that my meter
was within .2 on 3 different antennas. Anyway, I'm finding
the meter easy to use and pretty accurate so far.
Thanks for the responses.