Test meter suggestions?

[G-Golly Wally]

My old Dosy TC 4002 -PSW test center seems to have stopped functioning correctly, enough so that I don't trust it anymore. I worked 20 years in an electric motor factory so I'm familiar with the smell of burnt electronics, and that's the smell that hit me when I took the cover off of it. Would like some suggestions of a good replacement meter, I've had this Dosy since 1991.

 

[Eldorado828]

The Daiwa cn-901hp3 is a good one with true pep reading. The mfj-870 is one comparable to the dosy and probably closer in accuracy.

I own the Daiwa, have previously owned the mfj.

Jmo

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Watch Ebunk for an Autek WM-1, I have three of them. Cant go wrong.

 

[Eldorado828]

Watch Ebunk for an Autek WM-1, I have three of them. Cant go wrong.

That's one I would really like to have.

 

[999]

I have a few meter sets. I have a PDC600 that was NOT accurate at all, but I got it as close to my BIRD as I could, I also have a Kenwood SW-2000 that I use at the same time. Then I have 2 BIRD meters. I figure that I have a good range to look at in case something in the chain fails.
I've been doing this for way too long and am probably going overboard, but what the hell, right?

 

[groundwire]

Bird

 

[G-Golly Wally]

The Daiwa cn-901hp3 is a good one with true pep reading. The mfj-870 is one comparable to the dosy and probably closer in accuracy.

I own the Daiwa, have previously owned the mfj.

Jmo

Eldorado828 I just ordered the Diawa cn-901hp3, supposed to be arriving this Friday.

 

[Greg T]

Watch Ebunk for an Autek WM-1, I have three of them. Cant go wrong.

Want to sell one?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Want to sell one?

Not at this time, sorry.

 

[Prof. Base]

I had a Daiwa 901-HP3 about 4 months ago and couldn't get it to measure (was in avg mode, not p.e.p) the SWRs on my Stryker 655. Needle wouldn't even twitch...even when dead keying 6 watts. I have to wonder if they even work on cb radios, or if the one I got was a dud. Keep us informed OP about your new incoming meter.

 

[G-Golly Wally]

I'm hoping nothing like that happens, I did see some reviews complaining of the meter being DOA. But I read reviews like that on several different meters, keeping my fingers crossed

 

[Keto]

Let us know how that meter works out OP.
I've read several reviews where they end up calibrating the meter to a bird 43 or the like.
Just curious I'm wondering if any retailers would actually calibrate it to a Bird meter before they shipped it?

 

[Beetle]

Let us know how that meter works out OP.
I've read several reviews where they end up calibrating the meter to a bird 43 or the like.
Just curious I'm wondering if any retailers would actually calibrate it to a Bird meter before they shipped it?

That wouldn't constitute a legitimate "calibration", IMO. The Bird 43 is not a Lab Standard, it requires periodic calibration itself. Read a bit about the calibration process; it's a science unto itself.

Say you have "X" meter, which doesn't seem to be working properly. So you compare readings from X and a Bird 43. Neither one of which bears a current calibration certification. Which meter is closer to the actual reading? You don't know -- all you have is a gut feeling that hey, THIS is a BIRD! It's gotta be right!

 

[Prof. Base]

I'm hoping nothing like that happens, I did see some reviews complaining of the meter being DOA. But I read reviews like that on several different meters, keeping my fingers crossed

I pulled the trigger and ordered one too. Crossing my fingers and rolling the dice!

 

[G-Golly Wally]

That wouldn't constitute a legitimate "calibration", IMO. The Bird 43 is not a Lab Standard, it requires periodic calibration itself. Read a bit about the calibration process; it's a science unto itself.

Say you have "X" meter, which doesn't seem to be working properly. So you compare readings from X and a Bird 43. Neither one of which bears a current calibration certification. Which meter is closer to the actual reading? You don't know -- all you have is a gut feeling that hey, THIS is a BIRD! It's gotta be right!

I'll get a Bird 43 one day, it seems most on here have more than one meter, which is probably a good Idea. Im going to see if the Dosy meter can be fixed. I hear a lot of opinions about how Dosy is junk, maybe the newer ones are IDK??? But I've had mine since 1991 and never had an issue with it until just recently.