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| Reviews Summary for N8LP/TelePost Inc.- LP-100 Digital Vector Wattmeter |
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Reviews: 91
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $335 kit / 435 assembled
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Description: LP-100A Digital Vector wattmeter with complex impedance
display (R+jX) / autoranging 50mW to 3KW (5 & 10KW options) / bright,
fast Graphic VFD display / simultaneous display of POWER and SWR (or REF
PWR) in numerical & bargraph form. Additional displays for dBm, RL,
compression & calibrated field strength in dBm. Automatic band-by-band
power correction with built-in frequency counter / peak hold mode /
flash upgradeable firmware / serial interface / free control, monitoring
and plotting software / SWR alarm / NIST traceable calibration / much
more. Available as kit or assembled.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.telepostinc.com/
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write your own review of the N8LP/TelePost Inc.- LP-100 Digital Vector Wattmeter.
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W9AC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2010 06:18
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Great Product
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Last weekend, I upgraded my original LP-100 display with a VFD display kit provided by N8LP. This is the same display as used in the LP-100A wattmeter.
My LP-100 wattmeter is from the first batch produced and used a highly efficient PLED display. In time, several horizontal rows became defective and began to fail in succession. It was time to look at display upgrade options.
I had always liked the LP-100 over the Array Solutions PowerMaster for several reasons. First, the LP-100 is truly temperature compensated for maximum accuracy, also allowing user adjustable per-band power calibration in 0.1% steps.
The LP-100 is also the only amateur wattmeter product with a 2-port coupler and logarithmic detectors, allowing measurement of Z, R, X, and Phase display. These measurements require a superior directional coupler/detector system.
The LP-100 will measure power and SWR down to QRPp levels (<100 milliwatts). By contrast, I noticed that the PowerMaster begins to suffer in accuracy below 7-watts. Granted, most of these high-end devices are not intended for use in QRPp operations, but this is attributable to significant differences between circuit designs.
Back to the VFD display upgrade. N8LP's VFD upgrade board and documentation is excellent. I had originally feared that the VFD display would cause high cabinet heating like the PowerMaster. However, N8LP has implemented several novel display power management techniques to: (1) ensure that the cabinet stays cool to the touch; and (2) maximize the VFD display life by turning its display heater off when idle.
The upgrade kit arrived quickly and the installation process proceeded smoothly with a completion time of about one hour. Highly recommended.
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N9LB
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 20, 2010 09:49
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Not Your Father's Watt-Meter
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the LP-100A kit in early 2009. It took me several months of "a few hours here and there" / something to do on a rainy day kit building time. It's not a beginner kit, but not too difficult either.
If you are not an experienced kit-builder I suggest you get the factory built version.
The only problem I encountered with my kit version was that the power switch was defective, TelePost sent a replacement at no cost, had it in two days.
Once completed, the LP-100A powered up without issue. I did send it in for factory calibration.
Once I had the factory calibrated LP-100A back in my shack, I put it in series with my Bird 43. Wow, what an improvement! It showed that my Bird 2-30 MHz range elements were saturating in the upper half of their ranges on the lower frequencies, while the LP-100A continued to show more power as I increased power.
Of course the Peak Power reading capability is excellent.
Now here is where things get really interesting…
Beyond simple power measurement, the LP-100A will also display other very important parameters.
For example, when building / tuning / using antenna systems, the mode I like best is Vector Mode. Vector Mode shows The Z & R parameters of your antenna system ( which includes the effects of your transmission line ) or the input parameters of that home brew amplifier that you are constructing. Why is resistance and reactance information useful?
Example: is your 2:1 SWR due to your antenna system showing 25 ohm or 100 ohms? With a simple SWR meter you won't know - and that lack of information can be very risky when running with solid state finals in your rig or linear amp. With an LP-100A you will know exactly what resistance you are loading into.
Also reactance information is available – that gives you a head start when working to optimize an antenna system or the input stage to an amplifier!
There are other modes that display peak-average ratio, return loss, dbm, and field strength ( field strength does not use the in-line directional coupler )
Finally, it includes a "High VSWR" alarm that you can use as a stand-alone warning, or wire it in series with your PTT line.
There is also a computer interface to put everything onto your computer screen.
The LP-100A is now a permanent part of my operating position. The good old Bird 43 is now used exclusively for VHF/UHF measuring.
I wish they had a version that would work at 144, 222 and 432 MHz.
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N8IL
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 11, 2010 14:45
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Amazing!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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5+++ I've been using Larry's LP-Pan for a few months. I researched the wattmeters and found over 80 reviews of this amazing device! The software integration came as no suprise either. It's all first-class quality and the LP-100A made a great addition to my shack. I really appreciate instantaneous SWR readout, and the added peace of mind provided by the PTT amplifier protection. Keep up the good work N8LP!!!!
-Neil
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N1KDO
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2010 06:21
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This thing is great!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I built the LP-100A from a kit. I was considering the peak-reading kit for my Bird 43, but heard about the battery life, and the Bird is better as test equipment, not a permanently installed shack accessory.
The kit went together well, no problems, worked the first time powered up. Winding the toroids in the coupler was a bit tedious, and the coupler assembly in general might not be good for first time kit builder. For some, the assembled option might be the way to go.
Performance of this instrument is first-rate. The software that works with it definitely increases the value of the LP-100A beyond all competitors. The LP-100 Plot program gave me some useful and valuable new information about my antennas.
In short, I'm very glad I bought it, and I have recommended it to some friends.
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KJ4ADN
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2010 16:17
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Perfect for changing conditions!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The mistake I made.... I should have ordered the parts to allow monitoring two antenna feeds (both transmit antennas for my K3). I'll be adding the kit soon, and rest a little easier.
As a believer in resonate antennas, and not using "antenna tuners" and cumbersome matching devices that I'd have to keep an eye on... This little bugger squeals like a stuck pig if my SWR goes out of whack (if I want it to, which I set for 2:1 SWR). I don't know if the RAIN is affecting my antennas, if my big verticals fall over, or squirrel downs one of my horizontals... but it gives me instant visual/audible warning something is amiss!
Rather than keep hitting the "TUNE" button on the radio, and assume everything's OK - when the weather's not, I can get a good ACCURATE visual picture of what's going on, without flipping dials, turning knobs and staring at a skinny little moving needle (it also shows PEAKS).
While is looks like a luxury addition to a shack, my LP-100 is right there, giving me really fast feedback on my Linear's performance. Kinda like a computer or cell phone - once you have one, you can't imagine ever being without one.
We bought it as a kit.... my KIDS put it together. I sent it to Larry to calibrate (Monday), and much to my surprise - he had it back to me on Thursday ... the same week..!
WOW! Yeah, it's worth the extra $ for something that works seamless with any radio.
BILL - KJ4ADN
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VE3WDM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2010 16:26
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Outstanding product
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I am very pleased with the LP 100A and the fantastic support, with any question I found Larry to get back to me in a very prompt fashion. I ordered the LP 100A as a kit and the manual was very straight forward and easy to understand. The illustrations were very well done I was also pleased to find out that for the final calibration I could send it down to Larry and have him take care of it. I wanted to have a good SWR and watt meter and with the LP 100A I got an outstanding one. This meter does a whole lot more to which I have to learn and take advantage of. Fantastic product Larry and excellent support.
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NA6TE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2009 06:10
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Work of art
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Larry has done a tremendous service to the amateur community by building this product. After researching 3 different similar products all with in $10 of the same price the LP-100a won hands down. Larry is a pleasure to work with and surely doesn't mind answering emails on Christmas eve.
A very fine Watt metter, SWR meter, antenna analyser, etc. Can't wait to what's next.
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DJ8GO
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 12, 2009 14:08
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Versatile and Outstanding
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This instrument is pretty unique in the market, with lab grade precision, and vector readings in addition to the usual reflected power and SWR displays. The bar graph displays react much faster than any analogue meter could, and a real time peak reading gives you a pretty good indication how "stiff" your power supply is. Combine this with the protection against high SWR for your amplifier, and this device, even though it's not inexpensive, may pay for itself. It certainly is worth every penny.
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N2QQF
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 8, 2009 03:00
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No Nonsense Meter
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I like most have had the usual watt and SWR meters built by MFJ, Drake etc... Well this is surely nothing like you have ever used before. The accuracy of this meter is unbelievable. It is extremely easy to use and quite a good looking meter as well. Aesthetics play a big role for me in addition to function. This meter has it all, It is very sharp looking and works very well. I received the meter from Larry programmed already with my call sign which i thought was just a little bit of attention to small details. He could have just shipped it but he added my call which to me also shows he turned it on to verify it worked before shipping.
I am very happy with my decision to go with the LP vs the other meters simply because the features and adaptability this meter offered vs some of the others. I recently had an issue and called Larry because I thought it might have been the meter. Well it turns out it was not which was a relief to me but Larry really assisted me in testing the problem and continued to work with me even after finding out the meter was not the problem. He did not jump ship when he realized his product was not the issue he continued to assist. Anyhow, I am very happy with my decision. The product and customer service are Bar None.
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W5OMU
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 6, 2009 14:49
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Excellant Shack Accessory
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I use the LP100A RF watt meter every time I tune up the rig. It is infinitely more accurate than any other single or dual meter analog SWR bridge. It allows me to adjust my antenna tuner to a nearly perfect 1.0:1 match every time. I highly recommend this product as a valuable addition to any ham shack. Be sure to have good quality dummy loads on hand to perform accurate calibrations after construction. (Or send it to the manufacturer for free calibration.) A free Windows application download allows a display on your computer monitor.
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