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SWR meter suitable for Flex 1500?

Ian Chard
Ian Chard Member
edited June 2019 in FLEX Series (Legacy) Radios
I'm trying to find a suitable SWR meter for use with my Flex 1500.  There seem to be an awful lot of terrible meters out there, and not many suitable for QRP operation.  I've already been through two: one got sent back the same day for being completely dead on arrival, and the other was rejected for giving random and erratic readings both for power and for SWR.

What are people using with the 1500?  Ideally I don't want to spend too much money :)

Answers

  • Bill -VA3WTB
    Bill -VA3WTB Member ✭✭✭
    edited February 2018
    You could use the BobsMeter, a software meter that run on top of the screen. By Wood Box.
    http://www.woodboxradio.com/uk/BobMeters.html
  • Joseph W Gardiner
    Joseph W Gardiner Member
    edited August 2016
    They work great
  • Steven Hess
    Steven Hess Member ✭✭
    edited August 2016
    The 1500 lacks the metering circuitry the 3000 and 5000 have. You have to run an outboard meter.  

    Cheap and accurate can't be had in a QRP meter. I've tried. I finally settled on an Oak Hills Research WM-2 QRP wattmeter. http://www.ohr.com/wattmeter.htm   I ended up with two. One for my 1500 and one for my 817. 
  • HCampbell WB4IVF
    HCampbell WB4IVF Member ✭✭
    edited June 2019
    In my opinion one of the best SWR/Wattmeters available is the Telepost LP-100A, which is spec’d to measure down to .05W with the 3kw coupler: 

    http://www.telepostinc.com/lp100.html

    Larry Phipps the owner of Telepost is very responsive to questions. 

  • HCampbell WB4IVF
    HCampbell WB4IVF Member ✭✭
    edited December 2016

    Paul, I’ve got Larry’s “most recent model” on order, and am looking forward to it almost as much as I did my Maestro:  

    http://www.telepostinc.com/LP-500.html

    But I agree that the LP-100A is a great meter for the money – best one I currently have for sure! 

    Howard



  • Ian Chard
    Ian Chard Member
    edited August 2016
    Thanks so much -- the LP-100A does look like a tasty bit of kit, and I do particularly like the USB interface as I'm doing remote operation.  However I'm still reeling from the setup costs so far (I'm starting my station from scratch) so perhaps it'll be an xmas present to myself!
  • tomhank
    tomhank Member, Unconfirmed ✭
    edited December 2022
    Choosing an SWR metre that works with the type of radio you are using is quite important. Not all SWR metres work with every radio. You can discover several that are intended only for CB radios, for example. Others, meanwhile, only function with amateur radios. Some are compatible with GMRS radio as well.
    https://windupradio.com/swr-meters/

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