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Reviews For: RF Applications VFD

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : RF Applications VFD
Reviews: 40MSRP: 249.00
Description:
0-3kW or 0-5kW Vacuum Fluorescent Display Wattmeter.

No longer available. A high end VFD (vacuum flourescent display) replacement meter called the PowerMaster has been introduced as a replacement for the VFD. See website for info.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arraysolutions.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00404.9
KL7XL Rating: 2001-05-20
Nice Unit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The VFD Wattmeter is still in production. Marketing is now through www.arraysolutions.com. I bought mine from AES and the price was about $40 less than other sources, as they were closing them out since Array Solutions had become the exclusive distributor. I sure like my unit. Use it with the Kenwood SW-2000. I like the meters on the SW-2000 for quickly getting into the "ballpark", but like the precision of the VFD for "polishing up". My antennas are 40m and 17m full wave loops fed with 450 ohm line. The VFD is a great asset for tuning these.
K8ND Rating: 2001-05-20
Great Product! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
For 25+ years I've retained my Drake W-4 wattmeters because I hadn't found anything that did the job better in my station. The VFD is compact and accurate. Quick adjustments to antenna or amplifier tuning are quicker. Periodic preventitive maintenance checks on the antennas are quicker. I just bought a second VFD wattmeter for a SO2R (Single Op 2 Radio) upgrade and sold the beloved W-4s.
CT2HME Rating: 2001-05-20
Plug and Play Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'll keep this very short.
I have now relation whatsoever with this company. I am just a customer.
This is *the best* acessory I ever tried in my ham radio station, period.
*Very* easy to install. Pratical. Precise. Usefull. Beautifull.
Make no mistake. This is an outstanding product.
KF4DHE Rating: 2001-05-12
This one will.................. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Never leave my shack! Don't be fooled by the lack of a fancy case and buttons, this meter is made to work. If you want something pretty then buy yourself a new puppy. But if you want a meter that will sit there and do it's job well then this is the one you want. I'm sure glad I got one before they quit making them.
W7WIR Rating: 2001-04-11
Very very nice!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excellent unit!! Makes tuning an amplifer a snap. Responds very quickly in "Tune" mode and holds the peak power readings very well while operating normally. Very unique product that is well worth the money!
K9KXK Rating: 2001-03-31
Junk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I could not send this meter back fast enough.The outer case is made of a cheap molded black plastic and had file marks on the front edges and sanding marks on the top. I assume this was done to mask imperfections of the mold.The display is covered with a cheap plastic similar to the top that covers a salad at a fast food resturant. This alone was enough for this meter not to become part of my station. However after putting this meter in line I found it to read 1163 watts and a 2:1 swr out of 4 811-A's with 30 watt drive. The manual stated the swr alarm must be reset each time unless power is left on the display. I expected much better quality for $200+.
N3ZKP Rating: 2000-09-28
Outstanding Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
An addendum to my previous comments: After using the VFD for almost two weeks I like it even better. The TUNE mode allows me to tune my amp to any frequency in 10 seconds or less ... just tune for maximum bar length on the top part of the display. I tune in two stages: first at about 15 watts drive for three to four seconds and then retune at final power. It takes another three to five seconds. Slick!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N3ZKP on 2000-09-25

After returning another well known remote, peak-reading meter because of very poor construction and customer service, I ordered the HF VFD and am more than pleased with this purchase. The extra cost over the other unit is more than made up by the excellent display, quantity and quality of the information displayed and overal fit-and-finish.

I echo all that has been written previously about this unit. Now I am searching for the cash to by the VHF version to replace an old dual-needle meter.

Thanks to RF Applications for a superior product.
KE4WY Rating: 2000-05-31
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I like this unit. I just purchased mine at Dayton and like the operation of the meter. If I have to nit pick it alittle, I would like to see an on/off switch. I have it hooked to the accessory voltage from my rig so it turns on and off with the rig, so it's not a problem. Won't go into the operation because it's been previously covered by other reviews. Great little unit.
DU1ODX Rating: 2000-05-11
A must! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had this meter for a few months and I'm very satisfied with it. I don't have an amplifier but a friend loaned me his 30L-1 and the meter has helped me a great deal in tuning the amp properly and quickly at that! Compared it with my friend's Bird and it's just as accurate and much better since the digital readout is easier to read. The VSWR alarm is a great feature too.
W7UJ Rating: 2000-05-06
WOW! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is by far and away the best station accessory I have ever purchased. My Bird meter now sits on the storage shelf. If you don't have one get one NOW!, because you will be sorry you didn't get one sooner. This comes from a guy who loves needles and hates bargraphs. It is as accurate as my Bird, makes tuning an amplifier breeze, and protects my amps from my usual stupid move of having the wrong antenna selected with the VSWR relay option. It is also great fun to watch while transmitting.