Hi Dave, I finally got my mfj-849 watt meter ordered today, WOW they went like hot cakes! HRO and Gigaparts got a whole bunch in stock and they all sold out at both stores within 16 days. I got mine at R&L, Cincinatti, This will be my first digital watt meter, all the others I have are analog. 73, tnx again for the cool video. Ron N8DUK Columbus, Ohio....
Dave, thanks for the thoughtful, in-depth review. A note about the price comparisons - many of the meters to which you compared did only HF, or only VHF/UHF. Also, this is one of those rare meters which covers the 222 MHz band, worth noting. This review is three years old, but still timely, 'cause I'm shopping here in the future! 73!
Thanks Dave. I ordered one of these as my eye sight is not as good as it used to be.This makes it much easier for me. I like having this type of meter between my Tuner and antenna to see what my SWR and power really is. Of course I monitor those functions as well between the Transmitter and the Tuner. I have found that MFJ products that are made in Taiwan work very well and I have never had a problem with them. I have several of MFJ power supplies made there and they work great. Thanks for this great Video.....
Hi Dave. I always enjoyed your older more formal videos but I love your newer shack style. They're just great to watch and I learn so much. thank you and 73 chris ZS1CDG
Thanks for the kind words. My studio is under reconstruction. I write a script for the more formal videos. That way they flow better without the ums and ahs. I'm trying to get back to doing more tutorial videos and cut back on the review videos--that seems to be what people want to watch the most. In the meantime, my shack is my studio! 73, Dave
A nice meter for sure, especially if you need VHF/UHF too. That capability adds to the cost. Wish it had average and peak. Maybe they will offer one in the future. The digital display is easy to see, probably w/o specs too! A little big for my portable ops but my tuner has indication as does the ft817 and kx3. I often take a small SWR/PWR meter and keep it in the line even though it's "redundant". I like to see the needle move I guess.THANKS for the video. I enjoy seeing the innards and information on build quality.
Its interesting to see comments about tech items in videos that are dated. "Humongous 64GB US Stick" :) As I sit here with my 2019 Sandisk USB 3.1 256GB Thx you for the video. I ended up with a MFJ-884 so I can swap it around to test multiple radios.
Thanks Dave for a great review of this new SWR/Power meter. I'm like you, I do prefer the cross needle meters. My choice here, is the Daiwa CN-101L (maybe a newer version now) that reads power 15, 150, 1500 watts, 1.8 to 150mhz. These are the power levels and frequencies that I use and am interested in. The only power that this meter uses is 12vdc for lighting the meter, if desired. At this point, I am not interested in this new digital meter. 73, KO8S
Hi there Dave. Thank's for the informative video on the MFJ digital VSWR/Power meter. It just seems a pity that it has a power limit to 200 watts. I do like the idea of the dual frequency ranges. That ideally matches to a lot of multi-band 160m to 70cm range of radios, having separate HF and VHF/UHF sets of output sockets. 73 de John - G0WXU.
hello good video,i just brougut one today,in holland the name is kpo,everything is the same swr meter box, instructions,it cost new 135 euros,around 150 us dollers,first it does seen well built and heavy,i think it will last for many years,looks the dogs bollocks when light up and working,my icom 7300 via a 3 beam 11 meter kicks out 106 watts,and without the antenne tuner 86 watts,on fm and ssb,at this moment very impressed,maybe i will also make a short video,keep up the good work,19 charlie tango 004,rotterdam.
It is a pity that for a device that can be used in VHF and UHF, the antenna plugs are PL259 rather than type N. Fortunately this model is found under other brands and equipped with VHF-UHF sockets
I bought two NISSEI ones trying to get one that actually works and reads out. I returned them both and the sellers were extremely resistant to the process. Makes me thinks everyone else that buys them immediately returns them. I wonder if the MFJ one actually works?
If I were taking my IC 7300 to a park on a regular basis and wanted an external SWR meter, would you recommend this type of digital meter over a cross needle considering it would be carried by car to a park or perhaps mounted in a gator go box similarly transported by car to the park? Many thanks! Rob/WA9RAD
wait a minute...so you wonder why people don't get into radio? maybe because you just showed me if I buy a device thats over $100 it doesn't even come with a plug to put in the wall? I have to solder something together and have a seperate power source? thanks...that would have really pissed me off being new and finding that in the box. I dont have spare batteries just laying around with connectors...
It connects to your antenna so it’s very important to avoid introducing any RFI. Like most hams I already have a power supply that provides filtered 13.8 DC volts to a power distribution box. I would much rather plug this device into a battery or a power distribution box instead of possibly introducing RFI from an AC transformer.
I really didn't care for the way the numbers jumped around so much on side band so this would be useless for me ill stick with my mfj-267 great video though . N8WXT
Tnx for the video, I may purchase a NISSEI DG-503, it looks like the 849, would there be any big difference between the two??? Ron N8DUK Columbus, Ohio
Hi David, Thanks for your review. Could you please let me know if the meter is also ok to measure low power values less than 1watt? does it really measure from 0.xx?
I don't think it will be terribly accurate below 1 watt. If you have a scope, you can connect the leads directly across the output (be sure there's a 50 ohm dummy load in place too) and measure the output voltage and use ohms law to compute the actual power.
Ok, thank you for your reply David! Anyway if you ever get your hands on this meter again, and you could do a quick test below 1 watt, with some walkie-talkie or something that you know +/- what power it should be, please let me know. I'm just curious about it :)
A4 size user guide !!! We bring civilisation to the Americas !!!! That said, one box for VHF and HF seems to be a nice space-saver on the bench. The fact it has very low insertion losses is also a bonus. What does this thing cost (approx)? Kisses! Paddy
Dave, you may want to consider a lifestyle change (diet/excercise) the fact that you are breathing hard after opening some packaging is a little concerning.
Save the kindergarten explanations, your mainly addressing adults, and most of them have a strong if not superior, understanding of ham radio electronics.
Thank you Dave. I am only 5 years into this radio game and I always check you and 2.0 before making big purchases. Thank you for all you do!!
Hi Dave, I finally got my mfj-849 watt meter ordered today, WOW they went like hot cakes! HRO and Gigaparts got a whole bunch in stock and they all sold out at both stores within 16 days. I got mine at R&L, Cincinatti, This will be my first digital watt meter, all the others I have are analog. 73, tnx again for the cool video. Ron N8DUK Columbus, Ohio....
Dave, thanks for the thoughtful, in-depth review. A note about the price comparisons - many of the meters to which you compared did only HF, or only VHF/UHF. Also, this is one of those rare meters which covers the 222 MHz band, worth noting. This review is three years old, but still timely, 'cause I'm shopping here in the future! 73!
Thanks Dave. I ordered one of these as my eye sight is not as good as it used to be.This makes it much easier for me. I like having this type of meter between my Tuner and antenna to see what my SWR and power really is. Of course I monitor those functions as well between the Transmitter and the Tuner. I have found that MFJ products that are made in Taiwan work very well and I have never had a problem with them. I have several of MFJ power supplies made there and they work great. Thanks for this great Video.....
Hi Dave. I always enjoyed your older more formal videos but I love your newer shack style. They're just great to watch and I learn so much. thank you and 73 chris ZS1CDG
Thanks for the kind words. My studio is under reconstruction. I write a script for the more formal videos. That way they flow better without the ums and ahs. I'm trying to get back to doing more tutorial videos and cut back on the review videos--that seems to be what people want to watch the most. In the meantime, my shack is my studio! 73, Dave
Another great video from a great Wizard. From across the pond.
G6MHR.
The big advantage of these meters, in my book, is that there's no delicate movement to get damaged in transit.
Godt 👍
Too bad peak and hold are missing from this one.
That's a deal breaker for me.
Nice video Dave ! Best 73 de ha7wx chris
A nice meter for sure, especially if you need VHF/UHF too. That capability adds to the cost. Wish it had average and peak. Maybe they will offer one in the future. The digital display is easy to see, probably w/o specs too! A little big for my portable ops but my tuner has indication as does the ft817 and kx3. I often take a small SWR/PWR meter and keep it in the line even though it's "redundant". I like to see the needle move I guess.THANKS for the video. I enjoy seeing the innards and information on build quality.
Its interesting to see comments about tech items in videos that are dated. "Humongous 64GB US Stick" :) As I sit here with my 2019 Sandisk USB 3.1 256GB
Thx you for the video. I ended up with a MFJ-884 so I can swap it around to test multiple radios.
Thanks Dave for a great review of this new SWR/Power meter. I'm like you, I do prefer the cross needle meters. My choice here, is the Daiwa CN-101L (maybe a newer version now) that reads power 15, 150, 1500 watts, 1.8 to 150mhz. These are the power levels and frequencies that I use and am interested in. The only power that this meter uses is 12vdc for lighting the meter, if desired. At this point, I am not interested in this new digital meter. 73, KO8S
I'm really considering buying one
I got the Cen-Tech version at Harbor Freight. It looks identical.
just bought one and hooked it up
nice tool probably must have....thanks for share it...73s
Hi there Dave. Thank's for the informative video on the MFJ digital VSWR/Power meter. It just seems a pity that it has a power limit to 200 watts. I do like the idea of the dual frequency ranges. That ideally matches to a lot of multi-band 160m to 70cm range of radios, having separate HF and VHF/UHF sets of output sockets. 73 de John - G0WXU.
hello good video,i just brougut one today,in holland the name is kpo,everything is the same swr meter box, instructions,it cost new 135 euros,around 150 us dollers,first it does seen well built and heavy,i think it will last for many years,looks the dogs bollocks when light up and working,my icom 7300 via a 3 beam 11 meter kicks out 106 watts,and without the antenne tuner 86 watts,on fm and ssb,at this moment very impressed,maybe i will also make a short video,keep up the good work,19 charlie tango 004,rotterdam.
It sounds like it needs a quick S&H to capture power and SWR.
I just received mine and it works well. How did you make that power cord? The one that came with it is hard to work with with.
EXCELLENT...thanks Dave
It is a pity that for a device that can be used in VHF and UHF, the antenna plugs are PL259 rather than type N. Fortunately this model is found under other brands and equipped with VHF-UHF sockets
Why not have freq counter built in?
You’d have to ask MFJ. I don’t know of any inline realtime SWR meters with frequency counters built in.
I just bought the original model of the MFJ version. The NISSEI DG-503. No difference, just the name and it was fifty bucks cheaper.
Decent meter but I still prefer analog meters. 73
Thank you!
Can this unit be left in line during daily use of a radio? Will it pass signal to a radio if powered off?
super thanks for vid
What Do you think of the mfj-869 GIANT analog watt meter Dave??? I have one and it seems to be working nicely, 73.
Sounds like a needle-dancing dream!
MFJ-849. No Slugs. No keen eyesight needed. So I am going to order one .
How does it compare to the MFJ 87? Nice presentation; 73 K0VY
Dave, what’s the difference between this meter and the NISSEI DG 805? they look identical. 73 de Tom KC3QAC
I bought two NISSEI ones trying to get one that actually works and reads out. I returned them both and the sellers were extremely resistant to the process. Makes me thinks everyone else that buys them immediately returns them. I wonder if the MFJ one actually works?
If I were taking my IC 7300 to a park on a regular basis and wanted an external SWR meter, would you recommend this type of digital meter over a cross needle considering it would be carried by car to a park or perhaps mounted in a gator go box similarly transported by car to the park? Many thanks! Rob/WA9RAD
It's a bit heavy to cart around. Other meters are lighter. The IC7300 has a built-in SWR meter.
wait a minute...so you wonder why people don't get into radio? maybe because you just showed me if I buy a device thats over $100 it doesn't even come with a plug to put in the wall? I have to solder something together and have a seperate power source? thanks...that would have really pissed me off being new and finding that in the box. I dont have spare batteries just laying around with connectors...
It connects to your antenna so it’s very important to avoid introducing any RFI. Like most hams I already have a power supply that provides filtered 13.8 DC volts to a power distribution box. I would much rather plug this device into a battery or a power distribution box instead of possibly introducing RFI from an AC transformer.
I THOUGHT I WANTED THE 849 TILL I SAW IT ONLY GOES TO 200 WATTS, THE OTHER DIGITAL ONE'S LCD IS TOOOOOO SMALL, THANKS.
I really didn't care for the way the numbers jumped around so much on side band so this would be useless for me ill stick with my mfj-267 great video though . N8WXT
Is 6m hf for this
I suspect VHF.
Tnx for the video, I may purchase a NISSEI DG-503, it looks like the 849, would there be any big difference
between the two??? Ron N8DUK Columbus, Ohio
The MFJ is made by Nissei. I think they are identical.
Hi, quick question; How do I measure the wattage of 76-108mHz frequencies?
The MFJ-849 can measure both power and SWR on HF and on VHF.
Hi David, Thanks for your review. Could you please let me know if the meter is also ok to measure low power values less than 1watt? does it really measure from 0.xx?
I don't think it will be terribly accurate below 1 watt. If you have a scope, you can connect the leads directly across the output (be sure there's a 50 ohm dummy load in place too) and measure the output voltage and use ohms law to compute the actual power.
Ok, thank you for your reply David! Anyway if you ever get your hands on this meter again, and you could do a quick test below 1 watt, with some walkie-talkie or something that you know +/- what power it should be, please let me know. I'm just curious about it :)
Another great video thanks Dave. What's your Hogwarts house?
Everyone wants to be in Gryffindor, but I'd probably be in Ravenclaw.
David Casler I though as much, same here :)
A4 size user guide !!! We bring civilisation to the Americas !!!!
That said, one box for VHF and HF seems to be a nice space-saver on the bench.
The fact it has very low insertion losses is also a bonus.
What does this thing cost (approx)?
Kisses!
Paddy
$169.95
I'm not satisfied, it has AVG reading and not PEP which is needed for SSB, I only use it in V/UHF FM for other modes it's useless machine
Dave, you may want to consider a lifestyle change (diet/excercise) the fact that you are breathing hard after opening some packaging is a little concerning.
Save the kindergarten explanations, your mainly addressing adults, and most of them have a strong if not superior, understanding of ham radio electronics.