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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: 79MSRP: 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
00794.2
7J1ALV Rating: 2005-10-14
Find the earlier model. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my WM 1 about 12 years ago when Autek seem to have been more concerned with quality control than they are today. It has only a single tiny OFF/ON LED and isn't backlit, but the large dual meters are easy to read even in dim lighting, and compared to the cheap and nasty lightweight plastic enclosures that have become so common today, its heavy duty metal enclosure that stays put is a real delight. I haven't tested it for accuracy, but its readings have usually lined up with those of the built-in (and much less easy to read) meters in both of the big Yaesu rigs I've used it with. The remote head can be a hassle when it gets tangled with the nest of cables at the rear of the station, and the huge opening in the back (for adjustments) is truly weird (I've covered mine), but for solidity, legibilty, and rapid response the WM 1 would be hard to beat, although given the complaints of the poor quality of the updated model, I think if I were looking for a WM 1 today I'd try to find the earlier model. Another advantage to the earlier model is of course that it has negative ground.
WPE9JRL Rating: 2005-10-03
Works As Advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading the reviews here, I must admit that I had reservations about buying one of these. Bought mine thru the QTH.com classifieds. It is the "later version" with lighted meters. It looks sharp and is well-constructed. It's accuracy rivals my Bird 43. The Bird was moved to the workbench were it belongs. The Autek now sits in a prominent place with the equipment.

One more thing: The meter action on peak reading is superb....if not downright perfect. Seems well-engineered.

Very happy with the meter.
AH6RR Rating: 2005-10-02
Pretty Darn Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a WM-1 That I bought off ebay over 1 year ago and it works great. It is one of the older ones without the lighted meters. Anyone know when they started the lighted meters?
AB7RU Rating: 2005-03-22
Solid meter, seems accurate Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked one of these up cheap that wasn't working and was able to repair it - it seems very accurate and built solid. Backlit meters are easy to read. Works great for QRP on the 20 watt scale. I like it!
W0LC Rating: 2004-10-04
Good Meter for the Money Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the WM-1 for some time and find it to work very well for it's intended purpose. It's nott lab gear and I don't use it or expect it to be as accurate as such.

One nit; Don't like the DC power Connector.

I like the dual meter (analog) operation. Don't like cross needle meters. This one is easy to read and use.

K3MD Rating: 2004-09-07
O.K. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My unit was supplied as a POSITIVE GROUND unit, worked well on the supplied wall transformer, blew it out with standard 12 volt power cord.
It should be clearly labelled on the case as positive ground unit. I only had it 3 hours, sent it back, now have a Coaxial Dynamics meter.
N6GK Rating: 2004-07-16
Great for CW & SSB QRP! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Had the WM-1 for about a month...works great (and looks pretty with all the lights) straight out of the box! Having read some ham reviews questioning quality, I have to admit I was a bit hesitant ordering, but oh, am I glad I went ahead anyway! Quality seems excellent. And it's a great wattmeter for QRP work!
The zero to 20 watt range is calibrated at the low end at .1, .5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. watts, just begging you to turn down your power and explore the excitement of QRP and even QRPp, which I've been doing and having a blast! And, although most QRPers seem to work only CW, the WM-1 has a true reading Peak circuit, so you can confidently explore QRP SSB, measuring PEP accurately. It just doesn't get better than this! Great value too!
NX7U Rating: 2004-04-13
Excellent value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had mine mobile-only for 4 years now. 100% no-troubles-works-every-time. Against my Bird w/ peak kit they are within measurement accuracy.
I have the backlit version and that's REALLY handy mobile!
The point deduction is only for minor niceties--(1) the DC supply (coaxial plug) is sleeve-positive which isn't mobile-friendly at all (unless you're looking for mini-welding examples), and (2) it would be nice for the remote head cable to have a connector so it can be detached completely (not pigtailed). Would/will buy another without doubt.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by NX7U on 1999-12-03

Good meter for station monitoring. Peak function works very well for PEP measurements. Compare to 43P and it's a steal! Of course it's not as mechanically robust but you're not buying it for a field meter.
W6EZ Rating: 2004-04-12
no problems with mine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had mine for about ten years and have had no problems with it. Since it is the older version, it does not have any lighting for the meters and that is my only complaint. The power meter and swr meters agree with the readings on the built in meters on all the radios I have checked it against so that is close enough for me.
I don't know if there are quality control problems with the newer versions or not but it would be too bad if they weren't a well made as the one I have.
AD6W Rating: 2004-03-26
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I sure like mine. It's my second choice right after the Nye meter that's no longer produced. I like the simultaneous display of power and SWR on separate large meter faces without adjustments. I can read it from across the room. It tracks the Bird 43 on my bench pretty closely in terms of accuracy, and I haven't had any problems with it. I only wish it had the autoranging and amplifier protection features of the Nye, but it's a good bargain for the price.