[Elecraft] W2 - Possible Addition to Station

[Buck k4ia]

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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