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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
W2DAP Rating: 2002-05-14
Reliable and accurate Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this meter as a back up to another more expensive power monitor. I like the design and the quality of contruction is excellent. The open rear slot allowing EZ access to the trim pots as well as for attachment of the DC supply lead is a good idea. Upon receipt my meter read about 8% high on power. It was easy to recalibrate and once done the accuracy against a known standard is excellent on all power scales. The decay time for the peak reading time is at an ideal rate. The big, easy to read meters, lighted too, facilitate use. The performance v.price ratio is excellent. I plan to purchase another. by the way the documentation is fine and helpful for many. Circuitry is proprietary and not published but the manufacturer is only a phone call away. I like this unit.
N4QT Rating: 2002-05-03
Works as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Unlike some other reviews on the Autek WM-1 I found the unit I received to be well designed. I have had no problems with it. Calibration seems to be right on the money. I am using it behind a full legal power Alpha 87A amplifier. It has a professional look to it and fits in well with my IC-756PROII and Alpha 87A amp. Price has just gone up a bit but still a good buy.
KM1B Rating: 2002-02-11
OK but the accuracy is in doubt. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this meter with an intention of using it with an amp. I checked the accuracy of this meter with other meter like Bird, Daiwa, etc. It shows the SWR reading a little too high than others. Even when I use a dummy load, it shows the SWR at 1.3 while the Bird shows perfect 1:1.

The construction is lousy and switches are weak. The DC power jack is a little weird. I will sell it to get a better meter.
DL1DBY Rating: 2002-02-11
not accurate at all Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
If you are looking for a serious and accurate watt meter with a wide range, don't buy this one. Get a Bird instead. My WM-1 has a weird problem. It is inaccurate by much more than +/- 10 percent either on the medium level 200 watts range or at the high 2000 watt power level. You can't adjust it that it is usuable on both power levels. This problem can't be solved as there is only one pot for all three power levels for adjustment.

If you need it only for one power level (ie with a 100 watts TRX), it might be acceptable. The quality of the construction seems o.k., but it is a little strange that there is a huge opening on the back side for adjustments. That is not very professional.
W8DMC Rating: 2001-09-20
Below Standard Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've actually had three, all by accident, but then two of the three were accidents waiting to happen! The lite never worked from the one I bought used, had two small screws and the associate washers missing (one was stuck inside the cabinet to some soldering glue)! The front meters were actually very loose. The other one, the rear connector was so far into the unit, I had to take it apart and correct the problem myself. This unit also had screws missing. I actually found a sheet metal screw and a off brand screw, different than all others! What kind of quality control is this, I ask you?The last one, wen't south the third time out, seems the "polarity plug I was given was not for this model"? Don't ask, I never could understand either. After calling the back yard company, they only answer on certain hours! The, they say..."Hay you did not send us $47.00 to fix it, UP FRONT! Well I gave them a chance, but 3 x no more for me. Next succor step up to the plate!
AA1UY Rating: 2001-05-15
Does the job very well. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have an older, non-lighted version and am very happy with it.

The independent SWR and Power meters are very easy to read (*much* better than "cross-eye" meters IMHO) and it seems very accurate as far as I can tell. It has (switched) 20, 200 and 2000 watt scales, (switched) average or peak reading and is perfectly usable at QRO or QRP levels (5 watts is mid-scale on the 20 watt range). It looks great, the case is solid and build quality appears fine on mine.

All in all, a very cool and versatile meter - no complaints whatsoever here.
W0KDX Rating: 2001-05-15
Excellent Meter for the $$ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the WM-1 for some time now and I really enjoy using it. It works very well, and from reading some of the postings, I never had a problem with "loose" parts.

I use to have the W-4 Drake (now where's that laminated card), cross needle meters (huh...what is the SWR ?), and others (set, push, read, ooops, bumped the control, start over).

I prefer the WM-1 to any meter that I have had and will stick with it. I never trust antenna tuner meters. I have found them to be off 5-10% on their readings. That is a personal issue I suppose.

All in all, I like the Autek meter just fine.
K9FTB Rating: 2001-04-11
Good Design, HoHum Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received the WM-1 the other day. After reading the Autek web site write up, I expected a high quality instrument. Well was I surprised. Here's the list,

1 - 2 screws missing from the front panel. 1 screw 3/4 of the way out and the last screw was tight - if your counting manufacturing defects thats 3 out of 4!!!

The email response to my complaint was the "screws came loose in shipping" - yeah right.

2 - the 12 V connector is mounted at a 45 degree angle - this one I didn't expect, because it's strange, but has not caused a problem yet.

3 - looking at the internal wiring produced a view of long wiring sticking up in the air, long resistor leads, etc. It reminds me of my very first Heath kit building experience, and nobody paid me $133 bucks for that!

4 - the silk screened front panel was "wavey and slightly bent" as you view it straight on.

5 - the documentation looks like a high school kid (no grammar school) put it together. For $133 bucks, I'd expect a centered heading on the first page. This suggests these guys aren't really proud of the product.

I also have a QF-1A from the mid-80's - now that's a piece of excellent gear with detailed craftsmanship. The WM-1 is not. They would be better off selling it as a kit.

I do like the lighted meters and the presentation of power and swr - the power scale will be helpful for my QRP rig and linear since one instrument can handle both.

I don't know about the accuracy (claimed as 5% of Full Scale). Have no way to check this.

I would not buy again and I would recommend you consider other market alternatives other than the WM-1 meter. Competition will either hurt Autek or it may improve Autek's quality. Money talks, if people quit buying.

Dean, K9FTB
W4TH Rating: 2001-03-31
OK meter once you get it put together Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I received my meter, attached the coax, and keyed my rig on rtty to check the output. Nothing! I put my old stand by Drake W4 in line, 100 watts out. I looked at the Autek Research and found the nuts holding the two SO-239 chassis mounts connectors into the cabinet of the remote cable were not tight. This allowed the SO-239 connector on the input side of the meter to twist freely, round and round, and of course you know what happened. Yep the connections on the inside of the box were completely twisted off the connector. I had to resolder the connections, and then tighten BOTH of the nuts holding the SO-239 in place. Once I had this done, I didn't have any other problems. From reading what happened to some of the other owners of this meter, and from my own personal experience, I would think Autek Research needs a lot of work in the area of quality control. Tom HixW4TH
K4TBN Rating: 2001-03-27
good value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have been using this meter since 1993. It survived a 'drop test' when my cat knocked it 4 ft to the floor where one meter face cracked. No repairs were required and the crack isn't too obvious, so the WM-1 remains in everyday use.