Best low-end watt/VSWR meter you would suggest

[Tallman]

I would not recommend a real low end meter, buy well once or junk many times.
The antenna analyzer is a better tool than just an SWR meter. So much more information available.

 

[144inBama]

I would not recommend a real low end meter, buy well once or junk many times.
The antenna analyzer is a better tool than just an SWR meter. So much more information available.

I was actually just watching some vids on the MFJ-269C, I honestly don't think I have a real enough need for it to justify that kinda cash....but it'd be nice to play with.

 

[Tallman]

I always go for the overkill on test tools.

 

[144inBama]

I always go for the overkill on test tools.

NOTHING wrong with that. I have 2- Fluke 787 process meters, a Fluke T5-1000 and a Fluke 771....Just to check voltage around the house and sensors in the vehicles.

 

[LeapFrog]

Never had an issue with the Astatic PDC1
and they are fairly accurate for the price. (Closely agrees with the Bird 43)

 

[Slowmover]

Never hard an issue with the Astatic PDC1
and they are fairly accurate for the price. (Closely agrees with the Bird 43)

The $25 I-don’t-really-know, but. . . maybe

Meter

Yes, I have several.

.

 

[groundwire]

I would not recommend a real low end meter, buy well once or junk many times.
The antenna analyzer is a better tool than just an SWR meter. So much more information available.

Exactly. Im too poor to buy cheap.

 

[144inBama]

Exactly. Im too poor to buy cheap.

Yeah, I am too.....took a lot of money for me to learn that lesson....which is why I’m poor..lol

 

[snippits75]

Never had an issue with the Astatic PDC1
and they are fairly accurate for the price. (Closely agrees with the Bird 43)

I had one, and the average watt measurement/SWR was spot on with a Yaesu and Daiwa. Don't have a bird meter to play with.

 

[Mudfoot]

MFJ-815D

 

[Handy Andy]

@Mudfoot -This one?

 

[Mudfoot]

Yes, very accurate. Tracks my LP-100a watt for watt. Nice meter.

 

[2NC995]

I was actually just watching some vids on the MFJ-269C, I honestly don't think I have a real enough need for it to justify that kinda cash....but it'd be nice to play with.

Consider a NanoVNA. Have one. Love it. Haven’t even begun to explore all the possibilities with it.

 

[groundwire]

Also, its not so much the unit itself, the actual meter movement used has alot to do with the readings you get. You could have the best unit in the world but if you put a cheap meter in it, inaccuracies will happen. The bird meter is a perfect example, its really accurate because the meter they use is high precision. 5% +/-. Cb meters are probably more like 15%.

 

[L2]

On sale until the end of the month at HRO.

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015502