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Reviews For: TELEWAVE MODEL 44

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : TELEWAVE MODEL 44
Reviews: 8MSRP: 715
Description:
Wide frequency range, high accuracy directional wattmeter.
Product is in production
More Info: http:// http://www.telewave.com/pricelist/wattmeter.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0085
IZ1CLB Rating: 2014-09-17
The triumph of common sense Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I took my decision after careful consideration, especially given that the item in question is not exactly on the cheap side (with 700 bucks one could buy an HF radio, right?).
After having excluded the option of settling for low-budget devices, I found myself torn between the celebrated Bird 43 and the 44L1P Telewave, and ended up going for the latter. I didn’t feel like purchasing a set of different elements for the various frequencies, each with its own power / frequency level.

The following example says it all: Telewave allows to measure with the greatest ease 99W of direct power (on a 150W scale) and just 1W of reflected power (using a 5 W scale, with a more than adequate resolution), something one clearly can’t achieve with a 100 W Bird, given that 1 W of reflected power wouldn’t allow a good reading, thus requiring the purchase and use of a dedicated device.

The 44L1P Telewave is very precise, certainly more than enough for amateur as well as professional purposes. It doesn’t pretend to show infinitesimal values, which cannot be guaranteed by Bird (5%) nor by Telewave itself (7%). Here’s another interesting difference between the two: with Bird, the elements are consistent with the only three reading scales (x25, x50, x100); Telewave has dedicated scales (5, 15, 50, 150, 500, and they do not coincide) for each position of the range switch. This is because each power value has been individually calibrated, both for the direct and the reflected power.

The instrument is shipped in a carefully designed package with a soft rubber foam filling, a guarantee of integrity during mail delivery. It is wisely short-circuited with the commuter in the “off” position, so that the mobile coil of micro-ammeter is not subject to shocks during transportation (Bird does the same with a metal “dummy” element).

It is also worth noting that 44L1P Telewave is available with a wide range of very robust “quick-change” connectors (I bought a couple of UHF connectors, just for the heck of it, although I didn’t yet replace the more precise “N”s for the time being).
The lateral coupling connector at -40dB for measurement tools is quite user-friendly for things like measures on the frequency-counter, spectrum analyzer or (for measurements on receivers) injection on line of RF signals.

The only drawback is that, despite its flexibility (thanks to the commuter with five power levels), 44L1P Telewave cannot measure more than 500W, up to 200MHz (for higher frequencies there is the 44AP model, which works from 200 to 1,000MHz). This means that 44L1P Telewave is suitable for those who work only in HF or 144MHz. Bird 43 can indeed be better customized if you works at 450 or 1,200 MHz or with higher power levels.

Having said this, I have no doubt that 44L1P Telewave is a reliable, robust, no-frills instrument. It’s well worth the money – a choice based on plain common sense.
It’s really too bad that such a remarkable product isn’t widely known and promoted in European market.
K4MSG Rating: 2013-10-10
44A is super! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Picked up a "used, new condition" Model 44A w/Pelican case from a test equipment dealer and it is one of the best investments I have ever made. It is pricey (even the used one was $599.00) but absolutely wonderful to use: compact, accurate, and no slugs to mess with. I especially like the OFF function which protects the meter and the convenience of being able to select forward or reflected power and wattage range "on the fly". Having the FORWARD/REFLECTED power chart (for calculating VSWR) on the back of the meter is also helpful when I'm up on the roof trying to "tweak" an antenna (e.g., no manual required).

Since I'm primarily a VHF/UHF operator this is definitely the one to have!
KC8HXO Rating: 2006-02-24
Quality product! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Need to calibrate your Bird?? Get a Telewave! (Just kidding). It is every bit as good as the old Bird. No slugs to buy, store, want, not have, etc.. This is another keeper!
W6LBV Rating: 2005-07-22
"A Bird for All Seasons" Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I received my (nearly new) Model 44A in a swap about fifteen years ago, and have used it for power/SWR measurements ranging from ten meter Amateur antennas to commercial 900 MHz mobile radio base stations. It has never failed to perform perfectly for me.

Certainly it is a commercial-grade instrument, built to commercial standards. A twenty page manual supplied with the meter documents it fully, including internal parts identification/values. Unlike the Bird Model 43, the 44A does have the VSWR chart and calibration factors silk screened on the external back side of the case.

For clarification, the manufacturer's specifications indicate an operating range from 20 to 1000 MHz, 6% accuracy from 20 to 100 MHz (after application of calibration factors), 5% accuracy from 100 to 500 MHz, and 6% accuracy from 500 to 1000 MHz. Maximum indicated forward power is 500 watts. The weight is 3 pounds; this device is not a light weight!

There are three advantages to this product compared to its competition: First, there are no external plug-in slugs to be obtained; the wide-range instrument is complete and ready for use solely by itself. Second, a front panel switch has an off position for the meter movement, thus protecting the instrument during transit. Third, front panel power range switching makes possible very accurate reads of low levels of reflected power in a 50 ohm transmission line attached to a well-matched antenna. Thus it is possible to read 250 watts of forward power and 3 watts of reflected power accurately, by switching to a five watt (full scale) power range for the reflected reading.

With a Palstar WM-150 to handle MF/HF measurements and the Model 44A for VHF/UHF, I'll never need to upgrade power measurement instrumentation within this wide frequency range. And of course I've "given the bird" to the eternal chase for finding ever more wattmeter slugs.

An expensive instrument relative to the Amateur marketplace? Probably....but not so bad if the cost is amortized over a lifetime.
N3GOO Rating: 2004-08-03
Bombproof Pro grade Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Excellent VHF/UHF wattmeter. Built like a tank, designed and intended for daily commercial use. This is not one of those $85 cross needle specials that never stay in calibration, this is what the pros use. If you are doing a lot of VHF/UHF antenna or amplifier work this is the one meter to have. Excellent for field day use as well.
PA5MS Rating: 2002-08-09
Best meter I have Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have one since 1998 never had any problem, I used this meter to check my bird slugs.. As buy and resell used bird elements. Best meter I have
G3ZPS Rating: 2002-07-27
super bit of kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Picked one of these little beauties this week. Never seen one in the UK before. Still has a US retail of over $600. Absolutely superb professional bit of equipment..looks bombproof. No plugins required for 50MHz for 1GHz, and has 5 power ranges up to 500W full scale. Is built like an looks like a Bird 43..hmm Telewave 44.. very close!. My one has the -40dB RF takeoff through an additional BNC. No drawbacks at all..if you can get one for the right price.

Steve G3ZPS
WB9WHE Rating: 2001-06-15
Superb and no costly elements! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The model 44A is a commercial quality, broad band (1-1000 Mhz) directional wattmeter that does not require elements. Accuracy is 5% (most are 10%). It has ranges of 5-15-50-500 watts Forward and Reverse for the entire frequency range. HIGHLY accurate. Riggid, heavy cast case and rubber guarded shock resistant meter. NO expensive elements. Looks just like a Byrd model 44A, but NO ELEMENTS. Comes factory calabrated to a US Nat. Bureau of Standards traceable reference. Comes with either N or SO-239 connectors...and quick disconnect, if you like.

Have owned for 3 years, not a single problem.