Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Diamond SX-400

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Diamond SX-400
Reviews: 14MSRP: 115
Description:
band coverage........ 140-525 MHz
accuracy............. ±5–10%
connectors........... SO-239
insertion loss....... .3 dB maximum
minimum sensitivity.. 4 Watts
power range.......... 5/20/200 Watts
dimensions........... 2.4"H x 6.1"W x 4.1"D
weight............... 1.2 pounds
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.texastowers.com/sx400.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00144.4
WR2W Rating: 2003-05-23
Looks & Performs Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I really like the control lay-out, appearance, and size of this meter. Good to hear another review compaired it to a Byrd meter with accuracy. My other two Diamond meters in the HF range should be the same. I compaired results using two different models on the same radio, and got the same results. They complement my station set-up....
KD5LDW Rating: 2002-06-28
Love IT ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I to have owned the SX-400 for quite some time now and I couldn't be happier. Lighted meter helps at night , friend brought his BYRD by & the DIAMOND reads right with it, Just my opinion "you can not go wrong with this meter" It does the job it is asked to do & does it well also it is a beautiful meter .
AB0RE Rating: 2002-05-28
Does what I want it to.... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned the SX-400 for quite some time now and I couldn't be happier. It's priced competitively, looks sharp, is easy to use, and seems reasonably accurate. What more could I ask for? It runs laps around the MFJ VHF SWR meter that I had before this.

As for the SO-239 connectors... All of the equipment and antennas that I own have SO-239/PL-259 connections. I suspect that's why Diamond opted to have SO-239's on this unit - they knew they wouldn't sell a lot of these units with N-connectors as very few people use them below 500MHz. I do think it would be nice, however, to have the option to get the meter with N-connections of desired - perhaps the SX-400N? :-).

Also, the loss is within the PL-259's themselves... not so much in the meter... so Diamond should not be faulted for this.
KG6AZK Rating: 2002-05-22
Think first! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I admit, this is a fine looking meter! I love the SX-200... However, I immediately took this meter back when I realized it has SO-259 connectors! Diamond claims and insertion loss of 0.3dB at 70cm, but EACH SO-239 has an insertion loss of 1.0dB. That means the absolute minimum insertion loss must be 2.3dB. In practice, I found it to be about 3dB. Do you really want to loose 1/2 of your power, and 1 S-unit just by putting this thing inline?? I don't think so...

Thus, I wouldn't buy... go for the SX-1000, it has N connectors.