arudlang
Member
So, I haven't reached any conclusion with the search for an amp yet, but, lets just hypothetically assume I eventually acquire an amp that runs upwards of 300 watts for my base station. My current Astatic 302-PDC2 only goes to 100 watts so that's gonna have to get upgraded.
After looking through some listings, the most appealing two models I have found that are kinda within my price range are these ones:
$90 Amazon.com
$140 (on sale for $125) https://www.amazon.com/MFJ-815D-Original-MFJ-Enterprises-Wattmeter/dp/B00S555EJE/
I like these because
- They have a 300 watt scale which will match my hypothetical amp. I'm not worried about future-proofing with 500-1000w, I have no intentions of going to that level ever.
- They are the dual needle design which doesn't require calibration for getting SWR, can read power fwd/ref + swr all at the same time
- Large gauge with backlight
The only real notable difference jumping up to the more expensive one is the addition of a PEAK/AVG button that the cheaper one does not have.
I have been trying to research and learn if this PEAK/AVG function is of any use. It sounds like its just a capacitor smoothing out the reading, for a less jumpy needle especially with SSB. Not sure if I am understanding it correctly though.
Does the extra PEAK/AVG functionality tell me useful information that is worth the extra money? Or is it a gimmick?
Are both these meters totally trash and should be looking at something else? (hopefully within the same budget)
Appreciate any thoughts or insight.
After looking through some listings, the most appealing two models I have found that are kinda within my price range are these ones:
$90 Amazon.com
$140 (on sale for $125) https://www.amazon.com/MFJ-815D-Original-MFJ-Enterprises-Wattmeter/dp/B00S555EJE/
I like these because
- They have a 300 watt scale which will match my hypothetical amp. I'm not worried about future-proofing with 500-1000w, I have no intentions of going to that level ever.
- They are the dual needle design which doesn't require calibration for getting SWR, can read power fwd/ref + swr all at the same time
- Large gauge with backlight
The only real notable difference jumping up to the more expensive one is the addition of a PEAK/AVG button that the cheaper one does not have.
I have been trying to research and learn if this PEAK/AVG function is of any use. It sounds like its just a capacitor smoothing out the reading, for a less jumpy needle especially with SSB. Not sure if I am understanding it correctly though.
Does the extra PEAK/AVG functionality tell me useful information that is worth the extra money? Or is it a gimmick?
Are both these meters totally trash and should be looking at something else? (hopefully within the same budget)
Appreciate any thoughts or insight.