Any recommendations on SWR meter
- Thread starter N2BRI
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Bird 43, used, should be affordable. If you are looking for a non-lab grade, MFJ and Daiwa offer options.
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mmckenna
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Ditto.
It will take some work/time but keep your eyes on e-Bay for a used Bird 43. Took me about a year to find one at a price I was willing to pay.
There really isn't a lot too them. Just make sure the meter face is readable and the line section is there. Everything is replaceable on them. You can find replacement meters if you need them, same with the line section. The "smarts" are in the slugs, not in the meter, so don't get hung up on apperances.
Slugs can be purchased individually based on your needs.
Probably the last SWR meter you'll ever need to purchase. I've had mine for about 10 years and when I bought it it looked pretty rough. It tests out just fine compared to the brand new one I have at work. I've replaced the leather strap on it ($6), cleaned it (free), and I think replaced a few of the screws (parts bin). I've picked up the slugs I needed over time.
Yes, it may cost more to purchase a used Bird 43 compared to an MFJ or Diawa, but you'll get something that is infinitely more reliable, durable and will easily outlast you and all your radios.
It will take some work/time but keep your eyes on e-Bay for a used Bird 43. Took me about a year to find one at a price I was willing to pay.
There really isn't a lot too them. Just make sure the meter face is readable and the line section is there. Everything is replaceable on them. You can find replacement meters if you need them, same with the line section. The "smarts" are in the slugs, not in the meter, so don't get hung up on apperances.
Slugs can be purchased individually based on your needs.
Probably the last SWR meter you'll ever need to purchase. I've had mine for about 10 years and when I bought it it looked pretty rough. It tests out just fine compared to the brand new one I have at work. I've replaced the leather strap on it ($6), cleaned it (free), and I think replaced a few of the screws (parts bin). I've picked up the slugs I needed over time.
Yes, it may cost more to purchase a used Bird 43 compared to an MFJ or Diawa, but you'll get something that is infinitely more reliable, durable and will easily outlast you and all your radios.
Boatanchor
Member
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- Jul 17, 2011
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- 991
+1 for the Bird 43, but these can be expensive as multiple plugins are required to cover multiple bands and power levels.
Personally, I prefer and own a Telewave 44A meter and love it for it's accuracy, lack of plugins and native support for 5w-500W power levels.
Also,I realize it is a little 'out of left field' and fairly scarce compared to the Bird's and Telewave meters, but the Revex W560 is actually a fine little power/VSWR meter that covers 1.8 to 525Mhz at up to 200w.
It's kind of odd because in my experience, many of the other cheaper Revex meters are somewhat less than fantastic.
My W560 has UHF connectors for the HF/VHF bridge and N-Type connectors for the V/UHF bridge. Accuracy is almost as good as the Bird, insertion loss is very low and the meter scales are nice.
I wouldn't part with either my Telewave 44A or my Revex W560.
Personally, I prefer and own a Telewave 44A meter and love it for it's accuracy, lack of plugins and native support for 5w-500W power levels.
Also,I realize it is a little 'out of left field' and fairly scarce compared to the Bird's and Telewave meters, but the Revex W560 is actually a fine little power/VSWR meter that covers 1.8 to 525Mhz at up to 200w.
It's kind of odd because in my experience, many of the other cheaper Revex meters are somewhat less than fantastic.
My W560 has UHF connectors for the HF/VHF bridge and N-Type connectors for the V/UHF bridge. Accuracy is almost as good as the Bird, insertion loss is very low and the meter scales are nice.
I wouldn't part with either my Telewave 44A or my Revex W560.
Blackswan73
Active Member
Most everyone will recommend a Bird 43, and they are the industry standard. However, and I am going to commit blasphemy here, they are overkill for most people. Yes, I have one, but unless you are into alignment and repair of transceivers, you are spending a lot of money on something that would be better spent on something else. If you are just interested in VHF and UHF, you can get a Realistic meter that is visually the same, and works the same as the $70+ MFJ, and Diamond meters. I purchased one on eBay new in box for $15. SWR readings are comparable to the Bird, at a tenth of the price. Second, if your main focus is on 2m, several old CB SWR meters were designed to work up to 150mhz. Some of these were Pace, Midland, Vanco, Realistic, and PDC, also known as Paradynamics. These can often be found for as little as $2. I bought a Para 600 last year for $20. These are still sold new under the Astatic brand. They are the three in one meters, Modulation, SWR, and Power.
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
BLASPHEMER! Turn in your microphone, sir.
No, seriously, you are 100% correct. For most amateur radio use these basic meters will work just fine. I had 2 MFJ units that were "good enough" for amateur use. I had one that covered 1.8mHz to 30mHz and another that did 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands.
Worked just fine, but I wouldn't rely on one for really detailed work. If you just need something that you can use to check to see what your output power and if you antenna is close to being resonate, they'll work "good enough".
I did sell my 2 MFJ units when I got the Bird, though.
KC4RAF
Member
I agree with 'mmchenna' on the MFJs.
I have the MFJ-249, (it's old for sure but works great), which reads from around 1.8 MHz to about 170 MHz. The only thing I dislike about this unit is having to take it apart to replace the eight AA batteries, (required removing 8 screws). But it does have the 12 volt barrel jack for using an adapter.
The Bird 43 is better, but the price usually reflects that. For amateur radio work, an MFJ will be a really good investment for you. A word of caution though, the prices of MFJ have gone up I see.
I have the MFJ-249, (it's old for sure but works great), which reads from around 1.8 MHz to about 170 MHz. The only thing I dislike about this unit is having to take it apart to replace the eight AA batteries, (required removing 8 screws). But it does have the 12 volt barrel jack for using an adapter.
The Bird 43 is better, but the price usually reflects that. For amateur radio work, an MFJ will be a really good investment for you. A word of caution though, the prices of MFJ have gone up I see.
SilverXJ
Member
I've had the MFJ-842. Waste of time. Showed an SWR that was better than 1:1.... not happening. Also it showed 1/2 power on UHF. Seems to be a common problem so don't get that one.
I then purchased an MFJ-873. Seems to work fine. What it shows is much more realistic. However, I don't have anything to compare it to.
Also, see this: eHam.net Reviews - SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads
I then purchased an MFJ-873. Seems to work fine. What it shows is much more realistic. However, I don't have anything to compare it to.
Also, see this: eHam.net Reviews - SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads
How can a cross-needle meter show an SWR better than 1:1? The 1:1 line on a cross-needle meter is in line with 0 watts reflected power. To indicate better than 1:1, the reflected power needle would need to be less than 0.
SilverXJ
Member
The reflected power needle barely moved.
If it moved at all, your vswr wasn't better than 1:1.
SilverXJ
Member
Whatever, the point is that that meter was not giving a usable reading.
WA0CBW
Member
Curious.......what do you mean by "usable" reading?
BB
BB
SilverXJ
Member
The MFJ-842 that I speak of is a cross-needle style meter. The reflected needle never moved enough off its seat to intersect the forward needle anywhere in the SWR Plot. MFJ-842 Compact Cross-Needle SWR/Wattmeter 140-525 MHz Product Reviews
If the reflected power needle didn't move, then your SWR was 1:1. When you have a perfect match, you will have no reflected power.
SilverXJ
Member
Sure, except that the reading was incorrect.
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