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Message |
    
Capt_hook
Junior Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 46
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 8:36 am: | 
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i too am looking for a meter to use in my station wich one do i choose so many
1. SWR
2.Watts
3handle 1K power (more is better right?)
really need a good functional meter (P.S i have no clue to what one to get need some help here guy's thanks capt hook |
Crackerjack
Junior Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 30
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 9:49 am: |
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Don't forget modulation.
Do the meters that supposed read SSB Modulation, really do tgat?
I have an Astatic 600 (3 meter) with vox dor sale. |
Hollowpoint445
Intermediate Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 130
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 3:35 pm: |
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Unless you are using an oscilloscope you can't get an accurate modulation or Peak Envelope Power reading - no matter what the meter manufacturers tell you. Modulation and PEP change at voice frequencies (up to 3000hz) when you are using voice modulation, and only an oscilloscope can show changes at that speed. Mechanical meters are too slow - even the "powered movements."
Get a decent "average reading" power meter. Probably the most accurate power meters are made by Bird. They are rather pricey and only show average power. Unless you need a high degree of accuracy for your purpose, I'd buy something else.
Personally, I'd buy the meter strictly on appearance. Most that you buy will be pretty decent for average power, and if they aren't terribly accurate it's not a big deal. It'll show you relative changes in power, which is probably all most people need anyway.
If you like to watch the needle swing then buy one that'll show PEP and modulation too, just don't count on the PEP or modulation readings to be accurate - because they wont even be close. |
Crackerjack
Junior Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 34
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 6:43 pm: |
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Some Digital meters are quite a lot better in giving an accurate power/swr reading.
On the Modulation reading, a less accurate reading is better than no reading. Who can affoprd a spectrum analtser? |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 262
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 8:11 pm: |
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in most meters available to us every thing is "relative".Meaning they give you an idea what your station is doing.they are accurate"enough" for our use.unless you want to spend the big bucks for lab quality and calibrated meters then most available will suffice.Like the dosy's,paradynamics,astatics, etc.Beware of any E-bay finds,old meters have a way of getting knocked out of wack("see this box does 1500 watts on MY meter")only my opinion on the matter.after all an on air report will tell you more than any mod meter! |
Crackerjack
Junior Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 41
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 10:18 pm: |
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10-4 on the off air reports, DinDin. That and my daughter's TV speaker.
A friend and I live about 12 miles apart, and we find time to test the power mic settings once a month or so.
Once done, it doesn't take long unless a battery starts getting low.
However, that said -I get over mod reports from 1200 miles away -but I think that is my amp causing that.
I still like seeing it on a meter. |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 269
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 7:17 pm: |
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Crackerjack,I forgot to mention in last evenings post,in one of your earlier post you ask about mod meter working on ssb.My Dosy 3001 does,accuracy ????????? |
Crackerjack
Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 54
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:06 pm: |
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Dindin:
I am looking at them, they have a couple modles that do, what is your opinion of the reading. I understand that they are not the final word, but have you found it useful? |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 237
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 2:23 pm: |
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I was wondering which meter would be more accurate, a Dosy 4002PSW or a Astatic 700?
I would appreciate any opinions out there.
Thanks in advance
Bob |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 3383
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 4:34 pm: |
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Bob p,
If you set both to a Good Dummy Load & Watt Meter like a Bird they will be Equal in performance & accuracy.
Lon
Tech808 |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 257
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 4:28 pm: |
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Bob_p
For me personally, the (now Astatic) PDC-700 anytime.
Jeff
Tech548 |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 239
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 5:09 pm: |
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Thanks Lon. I recieved a Dosy 4002 PSW and it reads the SWR about 4 points higher than any of my other meters. I had a TC-4001 but it had a short and killed my Cobra 148 GTL, remember thats why the RCI 2970DX was getting so hot? Anyway Dosy sent a 4002PSW to replace the TC-4001. But it seems to have that problem with the SWR. So Dosy offered a refund, or to repair the 4002PSW so I was thinking about taking the refund and buying the Astatic 700.
Thanks again
Bob |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 242
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 7:03 pm: |
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Thanks Jeff this is kind of messed up since it's posted in two places by accident. But thanks again and just curios but have you had a problem with Dosy in the past?
Thanks again
Bob |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 260
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 7:02 pm: |
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Bob
If I told you what I know and really think of them, it wouldn't get printed here.
To those of you that are wondering about reading SSB modulation on anything other than a scope, in short, it can't be done my friends. I don't care what the (Meter) manufacturers tell you or what they advertize, it just can't be done on a mechanical meter or a digital meter. Think about it for a minute. Just for starters, where is the carrier reference??
There isn't a machanical meter on this planet that has the timing ability and/or speed to detect SSB modulation. Every single modulation meter (made to date) has all it can do just to try to keep up with modulation on A/M let alone SSB modulation.
Since it was already explained pretty well in Hollowpoint's above July 19th post, I'm going to leave this subject to your own thoughts.
Jeff
Tech548 |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 252
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 9:19 pm: |
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Jeff well that gives me an idea of your opinion on Dosey meters. They offered a refund like I said.. I guess I'll take the refund and just be happy with my old but working PDC 600.
Thanks as always Jeff
Bob |
Bullet
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullet
Post Number: 364
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 5:11 am: |
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for me its either one of the birds 43 or 43p or my struthers 120b. if its milspec its good enuff for my shack.
vswr,forward power,reflected power,modulation percentages can all be obtained with this meter through some simple mathmatical formulas.(in the TM that comes with the meter)
the need for a scope to show power at any given second of a modulated signal is splitting atoms compared to what 99.999999% of us are doing with our meters anyway.
buy what you like the looks of and what functions you like or need.
i used to have a dosy test center that i liked. for all its gadgets in one package it is hard to beat. |
Road_warrior
Junior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 27
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 9:25 pm: |
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I have a PDC 600, had it many years. Still as accurate today as it was when i took it out of the box new. Never had any problems with this brand of meter. |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 279
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 12:07 am: |
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Road_warrior my PDC 600 is sticking a little here and there, but over all is a pretty good meter. I bought it on an internet auction site, and it's kind old of beat up. Two of the pastic meter faces have what looks like glue smears, and the paint isn't in the best shape. I just wanted a shiny new meter smooth operating meter to go with the new station. |
Road_warrior
Junior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 29
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 1:36 pm: |
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I understand your point. I bought mine new & it's still in great shape. I'm still content with it. If I was in your shoes, I'd buy a new one also. LOL. I couldn't stand looking at beat up equipment. Good Luck! jim
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Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 284
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 2:50 am: |
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Road_warrior What started out as a new radio turned into an entire station. I'm not complaining but there were a few bumps along the way, and the Dosy meters have been a big one, and made me wish I had just kept the old PDC 600. But I will probalby end up with a new PDC 700 and life will be good.
73
Bob |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 271
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:22 pm: |
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Bob_p
When and where does the needle stick on your PDC-600?
Jeff |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 289
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 1:05 am: |
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Jeff it's on the SWR meter. It will swing up while setting it and sometimes it will sticks in different places on the swing making it a little tough to get it right on the set liine. Then in the Ref. mode it will swing a little high like a point or so then it will drop back down, or it will drop a little if you tap it on the top. So I've been using a Radio Shack SWR meter to be sure the SWR is correct. But the other meters work fine. From what I was told by the people at Copper on how many watts my radio is putting out, the power meter reading is pretty accurate. I really don't bother with the Mod. meter. But feel the SWR meter is pretty important.
Thanks for asking Jeff
Bob |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 273
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 9:48 pm: |
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Bob.
One of two things is happening here. Either the needle itself may be touching the plastic lense a little bit or the darned thing is just getting tired and worn out.
It must have served someone well for many years.
Jeff. |
Road_warrior
Junior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 36
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 2:17 pm: |
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Bob P.
I always kept my PDC 600 for home use only.
It sits on my Ranger 2995./ I have a mini SWR meter that i use & carry with me, for my mobile
or if someone else needs there SWR checked.
This keeps your main SWR meter from getting banged. Jim :-) |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 293
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 7:15 pm: |
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Jeff I think your right about it just serving someone else very well for many years. It doesn't look like most of the PDC 600 meters I've seen and the only place it sticks and it seems to be random is on the SWR meter. I honestly believe the Power meter is as accurate as I could get for this type of meter. But it was an e-bay item and that said it was probably sold because it was devoloping problems for the owner.
By the way I returned both Dosy meters and Dosy has offered to refund my purchase price. So the PDC 700 looks very promising. |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 294
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 7:26 pm: |
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Road_warrior just to be sure my other meters were right. I went out and bought a new Radio Shack SWR watt meter to compare the results from the Vanco, Radio Shack, and PDC 600 meters I already have. The new Radio Shack read exactly what the meters I already have read, and proved to me anyway that the 3 Dosy meters all had problems. Both with SWR and Power readings. I will probably keep that meter as a mobile meter it really is pretty nice reading 20, 200, and 2000 watts with average and peak readings and of course SWR. It's small and would work great for mobil use, or checking other stations.
I think Dosy was sending me refurbished items and though they checked out on a dumby load when put on an antenna the SWR was way off. But they were good enough to offer a refund of the purchase price so I can't bad mouth them too much I guess.
Of course I could be wrong, but the tech. told me he took the meter out to a friends house and checked the SWR there and though it didn't even come close to the owners SWR readings he excused that as a difference in boards. |
Bob_p
Intermediate Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 358
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 5:19 pm: |
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I'm beginning to wonder about the honesty of Dosy. They offered a refund of the purchase price and they recieved the meters over two weeks ago and still no word from them yet.
I still have the little Radio Shack meter in the mean time and it seems to work very well, just small. I put it on a dummy load to check the SWR and it barely moved and it was showing the radio was doing what the PDC 600 was showing in power. I really would like to get that PDC though and hope Dosy follows through sooner than later. |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 216
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 04, 2004 - 8:12 pm: |
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Hi,
Does any one know where to send a PDC 700 meter to get it calibrated, I think it off big time on everything including SWRs?
Thanks |
