CRAZY PRICES FOR AUTEK WM 1's

[Sonar]

An Autek wm 1 recently sold for $305 (on Ebay. )
After that wm 1 sold for that ridiculous number a couple of other wm1's popped up (for auction. )
They don't come up that often, but that price most likely motivated people who didn't consider parting with their Autek's, to reconsider. One of the other ones that popped up has a current bid of $202.
I own two of wm1's (one illuminated,) and the price the first one sold for, and the current price of one of the others that popped up, has got me thinking about possibly partying with both of them (it's a tough call.)
Ive never sold on eBay before.
What are the drawbacks and possibilities getting scammed, by an unscrupulous buyer?
PS. I hate to sound greedy but should they bring those types of auction prices I would be able to do some equipment repairs and possibly even make a new purchase.
My MFJ 828 works fine , and I actually enjoy using that meter as much as I do the wm1's.

 

[Eldorado828]

You know I've noticed the same thing after running across the wm1's myself. I've never owned one but I've wondered if I should after seeing that they are pretty sought for. Are they anything comparable to the bird meters as far as accuracy?

 

[Sonar]

You know I've noticed the same thing after running across the wm1's myself. I've never owned one but I've wondered if I should after seeing that they are pretty sought for. Are they anything comparable to the bird meters as far as accuracy?

I've never side by side compared. I would assume that for the hobbyist it's about is accurate as a meter can get.
I think there might be a YouTube clip of bbi repairing or calibrating an Autek wm1. That's about it for YouTube as far as the wm1 goes.
The nice things about wm1 is that it constantly displays SWR, without ever having to perform a calibration.
And the meters are large and easily seen. Even if you don't have the illuminated model the meters and print on them are easily seen even in a low light situation.
They're called Computing meters because they constantly compute and display SWR without having to zero out or calibrate.
The wm1 is a very nice looking meter, accurate in my opinion.
It's surprising they don'tt produce them any longer.
I think they sold for about $100 when they were being produced by
Autek (in the 90's.)

 

[Tokin]

An Autek wm 1 recently sold for $305 (on Ebay. )
After that wm 1 sold for that ridiculous number a couple of other wm1's popped up (for auction. )
They don't come up that often, but that price most likely motivated people who didn't consider parting with their Autek's, to reconsider. One of the other ones that popped up has a current bid of $202.
I own two of wm1's (one illuminated,) and the price the first one sold for, and the current price of one of the others that popped up, has got me thinking about possibly partying with both of them (it's a tough call.)
Ive never sold on eBay before.
What are the drawbacks and possibilities getting scammed, by an unscrupulous buyer?
PS. I hate to sound greedy but should they bring those types of auction prices I would be able to do some equipment repairs and possibly even make a new purchase.
My MFJ 828 works fine , and I actually enjoy using that meter as much as I do the wm1's.View attachment 39956

Drawbacks are you eat 10% of your sale and 4-5% with paypal so in total you eat about 15%. Ebay also takes 10% of any shipping you charge the customer. Another draw back is ebays buyer protection program where the buyer is protected pretty much no matter what. Makes it tough for sellers. If you have no ebay history/feedback its sometimes tough to attract buyers.
The plus is you now have you item in front of a very large buying population

 

[Sonar]

Drawbacks are you eat 10% of your sale and 4-5% with paypal so in total you eat about 15%. Ebay also takes 10% of any shipping you charge the customer. Another draw back is ebays buyer protection program where the buyer is protected pretty much no matter what. Makes it tough for sellers. If you have no ebay history/feedback its sometimes tough to attract buyers.
The plus is you now have you item in front of a very large buying population

I'll keep them. There's just too much to worry about. Giving up 15% + of my cell isn't a problem. It's the chance of getting a case opened up against me and losing. Then not only having to pay the buyer back, but worried about what I'm going to receive when I finally get the item returned. I would offer them here on wwdx, but for the sake of not looking like a money-hungry prick I'll just enjoy them (once my IMAX 2000 is back up in the air.) Thanks.

 

[groundwire]

I heard they have some weird positive ground thing going on with that meter.

 

[TM86]

Pick a price and sell one here. Less chance of getting ripped off. Not zero, of course, but that's true in meatspace as well.

 

[Mudfoot]

Those meters have aged to the level of novelty status.

 

[Smokinone]

I heard they have some weird positive ground thing going on with that meter.

Yes, the center pin on the power supply is ground or - ,negative.
I like mine, I got one of the last ones he made before he shut down.
Don't remember what I paid, but it seemed they always brought a pretty good price.
Shows peak and average wattage, up to 2000 watts.