|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for Diamond SX-400 |
|
Reviews: 8
|
Average rating: 4.5/5
|
MSRP: $115
|
Description: band coverage........ 140-525 MHz
accuracy............. 0%
connectors........... SO-239
insertion loss....... .3 dB maximum
minimum sensitivity.. 4 Watts
power range.......... 5/20/200 Watts
dimensions........... 2.4"H x 6.1"W x 4.1"D
weight............... 1.2 pounds
|
|
More info: http://www.texastowers.com/sx400.htm
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Diamond SX-400.
|
K3ROJ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 27, 2007 12:14
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Nice Meter
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I also have a Bird wattmeter but wanted something better looking to sit on my operating table. There really isn't a reason to monitor 144 and 432 all the time but sometimes a friend wants his mobile checked out and is quicker than the Bird. There is no difference whether UHF or Type N connectors are on it except the UHF is used in most applications up to the 450 band. Have checked various connectors with my spectrum analyzer and can see only a slight difference in the connectors loss.
|
|
KB9BPF
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Jul 16, 2006 18:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Useful meter
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've had mine for years. Indeed, it was the first piece of VHF/UHF test gear I got after getting my tech license in 1988. Although I've gotten used to the convenience of cross-needle display such as on the Daiwa CN-103, I still use the Diamond for general purpose grab 'n' go use, like checking the antenna in the car for example. It's been treated carefully (I suspect it may not be awfully rugged) and has given consistent performance.
It's been a long time since I compared its readings to those on a service monitor, but my impression was that it wasn't grossly out of cal. Since most ham measurements are relative-indication oriented, the Diamond does OK. Since I use the SX-400 with FM rigs it doesn't matter that the passive peak-reading function is almost worthless due to its inability to accurately display peak power for SSB. (This is also true of the Daiwa CN-103.)
|
|
W8WLC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 10, 2006 16:21
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Value
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Nice looking addition to the shack. Wattmeter on 2 and 440 runs neck and neck with a bird. Swr accuracy excellant. Glad I purchased this gem.
|
|
K6USI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 10, 2004 16:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Does what I bought it for
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Looks good, works good. I use it for 2 meter and 220 antennas, it does all it supposed to do..what can I say....Had mine for 10 years no plans to sell it.
|
|
WR2W
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 23, 2003 19:52
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Looks & Performs Great
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I really like the control lay-out, appearance, and size of this meter. Good to hear another review compaired it to a Byrd meter with accuracy. My other two Diamond meters in the HF range should be the same. I compaired results using two different models on the same radio, and got the same results. They complement my station set-up....
|
|
KD5LDW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 28, 2002 10:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Love IT !
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I to have owned the SX-400 for quite some time now and I couldn't be happier. Lighted meter helps at night , friend brought his BYRD by & the DIAMOND reads right with it, Just my opinion "you can not go wrong with this meter" It does the job it is asked to do & does it well also it is a beautiful meter .
|
|
AB0RE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 28, 2002 23:07
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Does what I want it to....
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've owned the SX-400 for quite some time now and I couldn't be happier. It's priced competitively, looks sharp, is easy to use, and seems reasonably accurate. What more could I ask for? It runs laps around the MFJ VHF SWR meter that I had before this.
As for the SO-239 connectors... All of the equipment and antennas that I own have SO-239/PL-259 connections. I suspect that's why Diamond opted to have SO-239's on this unit - they knew they wouldn't sell a lot of these units with N-connectors as very few people use them below 500MHz. I do think it would be nice, however, to have the option to get the meter with N-connections of desired - perhaps the SX-400N? :-).
Also, the loss is within the PL-259's themselves... not so much in the meter... so Diamond should not be faulted for this.
|
|
KG6AZK
|
Rating: 2/5
|
May 22, 2002 01:49
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Think first!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I admit, this is a fine looking meter! I love the SX-200... However, I immediately took this meter back when I realized it has SO-259 connectors! Diamond claims and insertion loss of 0.3dB at 70cm, but EACH SO-239 has an insertion loss of 1.0dB. That means the absolute minimum insertion loss must be 2.3dB. In practice, I found it to be about 3dB. Do you really want to loose 1/2 of your power, and 1 S-unit just by putting this thing inline?? I don't think so...
Thus, I wouldn't buy... go for the SX-1000, it has N connectors.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
