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Reviews For: Autek WM-1

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : Autek WM-1
Reviews: 80MSRP: 132.95
Description:
SWR/power meter with remote RF head.
Product is not in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00804.2
N8RAT Rating: 2024-06-24
A Very Durable Piece of Equipment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my first WM1 in the mid-90s. Since then, I have acquired several that I use for operating portable and other locations, including the newer version that illuminates the meters (a nice addition). The accuracy of the meter is comparable to that of my Bird 43 with the appropriate H series elements. Perhaps it isn’t as attractive as some laboratory grade pieces of test equipment, the WM1 performs as advertised. It has held up well over the nearly 30 years I’ve owned it, with zero failures. Overall, I have been extremely happy with the performance and durability of this piece of equipment.
NT4X Rating: 2021-07-07
Gives just the info I need up front. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
At some point in 2009, I got a used WM1 off eBay. Had been in storage for a while from the looks of it, and needed a couple of screws, etc, but worked well.

I am not a fan of cross-needle meters (except maybe on a tuner or something similar, since the 'dip' looks more pronounced), so this was a favorite of mine. Once calibrated, it was very accurate and did what I needed it to do. The remote bridge was very consistent from 160-10.

I changed the station config a bit, and wound up not needing a separate meter, until 2020! The arrangement now has the rig on the desk and the tuner/amp several feet away. I needed something to monitor the amp output, but didn't need super/traceable accuracy and it's corresponding cost.

So I began looking at adding a longer cable to the remote head, and in the process, made detailed docs/schematics/board layout pics and added several mods. None were extravagant, but did improve it quite a bit.

Anyone needing documentation, please check the bama site under autek/wm1. There's a user's guide and a mod file. If you find anything awry, let me know.

It really too bad this is no longer made, it's simple, accurate and easy to read.
KC8HXO Rating: 2020-04-28
Works great! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I like it! Nice to always have SWR right in front of you. Works great, and seems accurate (Close enough for me- I have a radio shack, not a lab). Trying to think of a nit to pick....cannot think of any.
K7JQ Rating: 2019-08-27
"Oldie" but goodie Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I originally had the WM-1 in the early 2000's, and sold it to buy a digital/LED meter. Not that I'm dissatisfied with the new meter, but I eventually regretted selling the WM-1. It's a very accurate, true peak-reading meter, simultaneously showing SWR and power on two large meters. It's been out of production since 2013, but still has the third most eham.net reviews behind the Array Solutions Powermaster and Telepost LP-100.

After recently buying a second radio, I was fortunate to find an excellent WM-1 in the classifieds for it. Still extremely satisfied with its' performance. A nitpick, as with my original one, is the loose 12V power connector. Easily remedied with some double-sided tape to hold it in place.

If you can find one in good operating condition, buy it. You won't be disappointed.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K7JQ on 2006-01-23

The largest, easy to read meters I've ever had...one for power (20, 200, 2000 watt ranges), and one for SWR, simultaneous readings (no switching back and forth). Can't get any easier than that. Accurate right from the factory, and the peak readings for SSB works great..just the right hold and decay. Well built, and the remote sensor is a very convenient feature. Nit-pick...the power connection from the wall-wart could be a little more solid..a little shaky on my unit. More reviews on e-ham than any other...been around a long time. Good value and performance for the money. 73, Bob,K7JQ
KI7M Rating: 2017-09-01
I miss mine! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had two Autek WM-1 Wattmeters and loved them both. Gave me confidence about how much power I was putting out because they are very accurate, more so than most others. And having a lighted dial really helped. Now after moving I find mine no longer works so I'm looking for another. Really miss mine and the Elecraft W2 digital led display just isn't the same as having a meter.
K5EMI Rating: 2016-11-05
Great addition to the shack Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was lucky to find one on the swapsheets. At first I was disappointed in the performance as it would get flaky at higher power levels, but this was due to RF pickup on the power lines, and perhaps the shield of the sensor cable as well. And the power jack polarity being reversed, with a very flimsy connector, was a big negative. After a few months I "bit the bullet" and disassembled the unit, replaced the reverse polarized power jack with one properly polarized and mounted to the case (which is very heavy duty steel), added some ~50uH inductors between the power jack and the circuit board, and placed some ferrite cores on the sensor cable. Now the unit works as intended with no problems from RF pickup. The unit is powered from my station 13.8 VDC supply just like everything else with no ill effects. I would recommend this unit - the peak reading mode is very useful. Buy one if you can find one.
VA6DWH Rating: 2016-10-16
Does the Job !! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Finally found one of these meters at a flea market a while back....always wanted to try one...Really like the dual meter way of doing things....accurate ...easy to use....excellent addition to the shack....cross needle units just do not interest me....The PEP feature works very well....Very Happy....
KJ4KBC Rating: 2015-12-17
Very well done Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine for two years and it is a very nice addition to my shack. Ordered it new and it came quickly without any issues. As far as the cabinet goes, it's sturdy and the lighting is adequate. It's accurate and is I was looking for beauty over accuracy and use, I would have keep my MFJ giant meter which looked good but wasn't very accurate. I hate it's discontinued but These meters will last for years so I'll hold on to mine and use it. If you find one and buy it, you'll be happy you did. 73's
W0EG Rating: 2015-12-15
Good Meter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good meter, too bad the company is gone. However, the meter DC is positive ground connected to the case so this may conflict with your main DC supply if its negative is anywhere connected to the coax shield. I wanted the meter to go on when I turned on the main station supply so I added a DC to DC converter / isolator. Mean Well SPR01L-12, $5 from Jameco.
AB2IR Rating: 2014-05-30
Really nice Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Love the twin meter display for quick reference. Main reason purchased was twin meters. Had one for years, but lightening pulse took it out. Immediately purchased a replacement 2010. Did not know they stopped production now. Keeping mine as a backup now. Always worked well.