[Elecraft] "Digital" SWR meter from web reference

[kc4kgu@ENTERZONE.NET]

On Tue, 15 Oct 2002, Stuart Rohre wrote:

> The Bird meter this meter is compared to, carries manufacturers specs of 5
> per cent as George pointed out.  Few, if any, practical multiband SWR meters
> are any better than that.
> 
> I am immediately suspicious of any web site for an instrument that does not
> have a bullet for "Specifications", but prominently advertises it can
> customize the meter digital display with your Vanity Call!
> 
> It is an attractive meter, but I would not give it any special properties
> over a good analog readout meter on a Bird Wattmeter.
> 73, Stuart K5KVH


You haven't used one.  There is only one piece of equipment that I have
ever owned that I would recommend with as much enthusiasm and that is the
K2.

The VFD has an autoscaling "VU" type display when it sees RF.  This makes
tuning an amplifier or a transmatch go very quickly.  I have a very nice
crossed-needle VSWR bridge but, I look at the VFD because it's quicker.

In addition, the VFD has an SWR alarm that lights a high-intensity red LED
as well as provides a SPDT relay output.  Put this in line with your
PTT/key line or your amplifier keying line and you have auto-shutdown in
the event that something catastrophic happens to your antenna system or
transmission line while you're operating.  The SWR that indicates an alarm
is user selectable.

In addition, the VFD is excellent for working in low light conditions.  My
bird doesn't have a backlight and I don't even think they have a model
that does.  Kinda useless if you can't see it.

Anyway, like I said, I like it, I recommend it.  It is a very nice piece
of equipment and it has saved my equipment once already when I had a
catastrophic antenna system failure caused by a tree falling during mid
QSO.  Since my shack is in the basement, I would have had no idea and with
no "in your face" light and "rig stops keying, amp key circuit disabled 
down" action on on the bird, I would not have known about the antenna
problem until it was too late.


73 de John - KC4KGU
K2/100 #2490
Elecraft WAS #8