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Autek vs Daiwa Meter?

Robb

Robb

Honorary Member Silent Key
Dec 18, 2008
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Silicon Valley CA, Storm Lake IA
I am in the market for a true peak watt meter. Been using a Dosy for radio alignments and I will not do that any more.

Right now, I am trying to choose between that Autek WM-1 or the Daiwa CN-801Hp. Ebay has the Daiwa for $159/free shipping from Martin RF Supplies. The Autek is also $159 plus $15 shipping.

Daiwa CN-801HP HF/VHF Cross Needle RF Wattmeter 1.8-200 MHz (New) | eBay

WM1 Deluxe Computing SWR/WATTMETER. Autek Research

If what Autek says about their meter is true; their meter is more accurate than a Bird 43. The Daiwa meter has a large following, and owners seem to be quite pleased with it. Since I need a meter that is fairly accurate, I need a true peak reading meter. The Daiwa is supposed to be +/-10%; while the Autek claims are +/-5%. Doubtful; but in reality - is it truly better than the Daiwa? And if so; it is worth the extra $15 for shipping even if it isn't quie as accurate as claimed.

Thoughts?

Anyone that has/had both - or either meter - I would appreciate your input before the dreaded 'buy now' button gets mashed . . .
 
Last edited:

ROBB,

I have three of the Autek WM-1.

I called and talked to the company before purchasing the meter.

I was told that the meter is calibrated at the factory.

I then asked how much difference is there between frequencies I.E> 28 mhz compared to 1.8 mhz? that is where the 5% comes into play.

I purchased it and have been impressed with the performance, especially the remote head that can be put several feet away from the meter.

If you are in a high RF environment the meter will act weird as it is very sensitive to RF, besides that it works as advertised.

I can not say about the Daiwa as I have never owned one.

You will be surprised to see what a true PEP meter reads compared to the diode sniffer types.
 
I remember going on a "good meter" quest a few years ago.

I passed on the Autek as it was getting a bad build quality rap. Maybe they are better now.

I had an 801HP and really liked it. During my quest I ended up getting an LP100A. I definitely liked it, but a friend hounded me with various trade offers before I gave in and let it go.

The Daiwa would be good for bench work. Most owners bitch about it not reading reflection in PEP mode, but was far from being a deal breaker for me.
 
Hey Robb, how would you prove the accuracy for such meters?

I have a Daiwa CN801 and it is very convenient by not requiring recalibration when I use it. I don't know about accuracy of RF watts, but it is very close to what my radio's are supposed to be doing according to manufactures results. I sure don't know if the SWR is always reading perfectly either, but I just use it as an indicator, sort of like a gas gauge on my car.

I also have an old Dentron W2 and it is pretty similar to the Autek idea. It too does not require recalibration and is a nice meter, but the SWR indicator does not seem to be nearly as accurate or as sensitive as the Daiwa, and for sure the higher in scale it goes. I don't like the remote part idea either. For me, that would seem to be problematic around RF equipment.

I would agree with you that the Dosy is a very poor meter in all respects.
 
I don't have a Bird meter to make any comparisons. Was looking to find others opinions here before I commit to buy the meter. Some QRZ guys said the the Autek is the only real quality option/choice. Leaning pretty heavy twards the Autek at this time. I did find the Daiwa for $139 at Cheapham.com - lowest price anywhere.

Daiwa
 
i have had to cal two new 801hp's that were 20%+ low @100w from new,
my buddy thought his new ft2000 was only making 79w, the lp-100 bird tellewave or welz all indicated it was making a shade over 100w within a few watts of each other into an unabused bird load,
even after calibration the scale was not within 10% of the lp-100 across the scale as if the scale was printed wrong for the conduction curve of the detector diodes used,

compared to my lp-100 the coupler did not have a flat response across the hf bands, flatness was better than my peak reading kenwood meter which gets lazy below 18mhz,
i hear the later ones are better but can't confirm that,

diamond meters and their clones are no better.
 
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hey rob , since youre a ham how about something with a built in tuner ?

mfj-993b_1.jpg
 

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