I use both the W2 and the KAT500. The W2 is closest to the antenna and
tells me what the SWR really is. The KAT500 tells me what the
transmitter is seeing. You really need both.
Buck
k4ia
K3 # 101 KX3 #715
On 9/2/2013 6:44 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
Jim,
Under normal operation, the resolution between an SWR of 1.3 and 1.5 is
not of impo0rtance (pardon those who always strive for an SWR of 1.0).
At HF that amount of resolution is unimportant unless you are doing
measurements on your antenna system (that is different from normal
operating) - and in that case, you would likely be using the computer
connection to provide you with the greater resolution values.
I sense that several hams are offering their W2 wattmeters for sale
because they have purchased the KPA500 and/or the KAT500 and find that
the SWR display on those devices renders the use of the W2 redundant.
The W2 *is* an accurate wattmeter. I cannot comment on the accuracy of
the MFJ unit. In general, wattmeters are getting more accurate, but
some are still rated at 20% of the full scale readings - that is typical
for analog meter readouts.
So bottom line, do you want accuracy or do you want precision indication
of power and SWR. If your concern is for SWR only, keep in mind that
almost all wattmeters are accurate when they read an SWR of 1.0.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 9/2/2013 6:17 PM, Jim Bennett wrote:
Currently my station includes a K3/100, P3, Ameritron AL-811
amplifier, and the LDG AT-600 ProII auto tuner with the M-600 analog
display. I have the 10-watt 2 meter module installed in the K3.
Further, I am in the process of building the 80-watt linear amplifier
for 2 meters that was presented by W6PQL in the May 2013 issue of QST.
The above equipment does not have the ability to display SWR or power
output on 2 meters with the amplifier online. So, I've been looking at
something to fill this gap. One option was the $80 MFJ-873 V/U meter.
A second, much more expensive option is the Elecraft W2.
I'm not a big fan of a string of LED's for measurement of anything, as
it simply does not give the resolution one would like to have. I dealt
with that when I had the Elecraft KPA500 last year. Nice to look at,
but not overly big on resolution. What I DO like about the W2 is the
software that is available from the web site - the W2 Interface
Program. In addition to bar graphs for SWR and Power Fwd/Ref, there is
a numeric display with a LOT more resolution than one normally would
see with any analog "meter". Since I nearly always have my MacBook Air
turned on when I operate, needing to have a computer for higher
resolution than LED's isn't an issue for me.
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