Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes
Reviews Home

Reviews For: Coaxial Dynamics 83000-A

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 : Coaxial Dynamics 83000-A
Reviews: 8MSRP: 340.00
Description:
Peak reading RF power meter
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.coaxial.com/products/83000.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0084.4
WA4RDX Rating: 2018-03-20
Very disappointed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered one of these meters in July 2017. I was looking forward to having a quality and accurate meter, as I know some other hams who own this brand, and have attested to their quality. When unpacking the unit, the first thing I noticed was that the front panel switch to select PEP mode was not aligned vertically as it should have been. Instead, it was canted at about a 30 degree angle. No big deal, and simple enough to correct, but not what I expected. Upon opening the back of the meter to verify battery installation, I noted that the coaxial cable from the line section to the PC board was positioned such that the shield was shorting against an IC on the board. Again, an easy fix, but poor QA. Next I noted that BOTH of the IC's, which are in sockets, were NOT inserted into their sockets properly. Only one side was seated, the other side was barely in the sockets. Yet another sloppy construction issue. Now I'm really feeling sick about this purchase, but corrected both of these issues as well. The final nail in the coffin for me though, was when I tested the meter and saw an obvious and significant error in the reading. Upon looking closer, I found a lead from the front panel LED was pinched between the line section and the case! At this point I refused to correct this condition, and returned the meter to the dealer for a refund, which they made with no hassle. The greatest disappointment of all though came when I contacted the Coaxial Dynamics factory to inform them of my experience. I respectfully explained my findings, and asked if they could offer an explanation for this huge QA blunder. Suffice it to say that I was not any more pleased with their customer service than I was with the product. It seems that this company has dropped the ball after all these years of building a good name and reputation. I was very disappointed in every respect with this product, and the manufacturer. At least the dealer made the refund with no hassle.
K6USN Rating: 2008-06-24
Five years and still going strong Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a follow up review.

I've used this meter in the shack and in the field for over 5 years and it still performs flawlessly.
Built to professional standards and solid as a rock. Good battery life in peak reading mode too.

You won't be disappointed in the 8300-A It is a keeper.

K6USN / E51USN



----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K6USN on 2003-02-28

I read the earlier reviews on all the watt meters listed in the eHam evaluations and made my choice on the Coaxial Dynamics 83000A.

I am very pleased with the heft and feel of this
product, and measurements are easy to read and right in line with my vintage Bird 43. They claim 5% full scale, and this appears to be the case. This is the Rolls Royce of meters and is built like a tank.

In my opinion, this and the Bird (out of production now) are the 'gold standard' for quality watt/SWR meters.

I've owned the MFJ analyzer and find the Coaxial Dynamics to be far superior in quality and performance.

Albeit the Coaxial Dynamics is a bit more expensive, but if you want this to be the last watt/swr meter your ever have to buy, then it's worth it.
W1CUN Rating: 2007-08-29
A+++ quality meter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very easily read meter with very good accuracy! For those that have the peak reading option and do not like changing 9 volt batteries I offer this information: do not subject this unit to a non-regulated voltage source that exceeds 9.5 volts. You will let the smoke out of the IC's if you do! Shure makes a model PS9US (regulated 9 volt supply) that will plug in where the battery would go with no modifications necessay to the unit. Average price of a PS9US is $50.00 US.
AD5TH Rating: 2005-08-19
Great peforming and great looking meter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was in the market for a VHF PEP meter when I came across the Coaxial Dynamics 83000-A. Fitted with a CDI 100-250mhz / 500W slug it handles my TE Systems 1452G (400W)with ease. The meter is a shock mounted taut band movement. It's large 4 and 1/4 x 2 and 1/2 inch mirrored meter face is deluxe and very easy to read from any angle. The 9V internal battery should last 2-3 months under "normal use". I use an external supply with mine since I don't need portability. I give it a "5" rating for being the best peak reading and easiest to read wattmeter I have ever seen or owned. If you buy this meter you won't regret it. Found it at Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Depot for $369. Open Sunday 1-4pm!
-ps photos including the inside and instruction manual at www.ad5th.com
M0CEL Rating: 2003-07-08
Very Pleased! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I concur with all the previous reports. Accurate, excellent construction, easy to read and nice to look at. Compliments my Commander 2500HP.
former_K4XG_Tom Rating: 2000-10-03
Outstanding Wattmeter! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been using Bird wattmeters, both th 43 and 43P for many, many, years. The Bird meters are excellent, accurate, devices that will generally last a lifetime. I recently acquired a 83000-A peak reading wattmeter because I had never owned a Coaxial Dynamics product and wanted a new toy to work with in the shack.

The 83000A is outstanding. I prefer it over the Bird because it is so much easier to read the scale due to the mirrored background. The 83000A also has the on-off switch for the peak reading function on the front of the meter which makes it much handier to use.

My biggest complaint with the Bird 43P is that the two 9 VDC batteries just do last very long and it is a pain to change the batteries every week or so. Batteries in the 83000A last significantly longer and with the front mounted switch I am much less likely to remember to turn the peak reading function off thus conserving battery power.

I highly recommend the 83000A wattmeter.

Tom K4XG
PROFESSOR Rating: 2000-08-31
Lab Quality... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a very robust meter that seems to have as good an accuracy as a Bird43. This meter is much easier to read. Although it's slightly cheaper than the Bird... it's in the same general price neighborhood. If you want a lab quality meter for less than a Bird... this is the meter for you.
W6LAR Rating: 2000-03-07
Very Nice Meter, a Bird inside! Time Owned: unknown months.
Bought one just for the shack and for accurate readout for my HF station PEP power. I mainly got this over a 43 due to its LARGE meter. A pleasure to use and look at.