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Reviews For: Palstar PM2000A Wattmeter

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : Palstar PM2000A Wattmeter
Reviews: 36MSRP: 159.95
Description:
The PM2000A measures and displays forward power, reflected power, and SWR simultaneously on it's dual movement meter system, in the frequency range 1.8MHz to 60 MHz. Accuracy of the readings is assured because the PM2000A features a true shielded directional coupler. The backlit meter can display either peak or average power readings, and has 300 and 3000 watt range settings. The PM2000A is the next generation of watt meters from Palstar. All of the features of the WM150 are intergrated into the PM2000A, but it can measure up to 2kW, and also has a 2 second PEAK/HOLD capability.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com/en/pm2000a/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00364.4
JUNKMAN Rating: 2007-02-22
Very Nice Meter for the money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first PM2000A but not my first Palstar wattmeter. I've owned several of the WM-150's in the past. First off I'll say that I have to agree with N4JA in that the SWR calibration does seem to be a little off right out of the box. Mine showed my 75 meter dipole to have almost a 2:1 SWR when in fact it was really only 1.3:1 on my reference meter(LP-100). It showed a 1.5:1 on my 50ohm dummy load. After a calibration of both the 300 and 3000 watt reflected scales all is fine. It now shows my dipole at a 1.4:1 and my dummy load at 1.1:1,close enough for me. Both the foward scales were just about spot on out of the box so I didn't mess with those. The meter has a fast attack and delay time which I like and the peak hold works very well. Fit and finish are typical Palstar,excellent. After a slight calibration the meter seems to be very accurate at all power levels. For the price I think it's a great meter and probably about as good as anything you're going to get in an analog meter.
N4JA Rating: 2007-01-01
Calibration was bad Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Being a broadcast engineer, I have access to some test equipment that is superior to calibrating the meter by comparing its readings to a Bird wattmeter. The Bird is only accurate to 5% of full scale. This means if full scale is 3000 watts, it could be off as much as plus or minus 150 watts. I can measure the power to 1% using 1% calibrated RF ammeters and an RF impedance bridge. My Palstar said my amp was putting out 1000 watts when in fact it was putting out 1325 watts. I recalibrated the Palstar meter to read approximately that value (you can only read the meter scale to about 2 signicant figures). I had to recalibrate the peak and average power to read the same value when measuring the power of a carrier. I had to recalibrate the reflected power function. On 17 meters the Palstar said the SWR was 2.5:1 when it was actually 1.42:1. After recalibration on that band, the measured SWR on all bands were very close. This is an easy prodcedure to do. All you have to do is to reverse the coax connections to the meter and the reflected power scale becomes the temporary forward power scale. Afterwards the connections are flipped again and reconnected the right way. Unlike another reviewer who said the power measurements did not track from band to band, they tracked perfectly on my meter. Other than the poor calibration (it was originally close, but no cigar) the meter is probably as good as any on the market and it is better than many.
W6UXB Rating: 2006-12-12
Great SWR meter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have just purchased the Palstar PM2000A swr/wattmeter and have to say I am extremely pleased with it, excellent build quality and it appears to be very accurate compared to my KW 107 that I have calibrated with an RF ammeter and VTVM in fact up to 14 mhz it is spot on (the KW 107 falls off on higher frequencies)and the peak reading feature works fantastic, it also sits on top of my LDG Z100 autotuner just perfectly, and after reading N06E's fine article on wattmeters I am even more pleased with it's accuracy. I also read N5CNN's article on HF wattmeters and I think he does Paul at Palstar a great in justice, I have never experienced anything but great service and product from Palstar, unlike the MFJ stuff
W8JHA Rating: 2006-12-10
Nice Power Meter Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I now have two of the PM2000A meters and they are reliable and accurate relative to their cost. I had previously bought the DL2K dummy load and found the quality of that unit to be extremely sound. And the meters are in the same league. I use the one PM2000A with my Drake B-Line/C-Line, 2Line, L4B/MN2000 station and the other with my TR7/TR5/L7/MN2700 station.
KD5NVC Rating: 2006-10-16
Accurate Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I now have to models, PM2000A and PM200AM, the AM version is mobile unit with a remote coupler. Both of these units are solid, accurate and built well. Compared to two calibrated systems, both meters are within 5% or less from 10 to 2000 watts. The SWR function showed some variance of 10% or less. Overall one of if not the most functional and accurate meters for the money on the market today. The peak, peak and hold functions are a must and work the same under all conditions.

The mobile meter gives repeatable results with my screwdriver antenna every time! Also there are no RFI problems with the shielded coupler on the mobile unit. With 16' of cable from the coupler to the meter, you can put the meter anywhere!!

Very Satisfied Customer

73,

Glenn
KD5NVC
K4CFS Rating: 2006-09-23
Excellent Service Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned an Palstar PM2000A wattmeter for over 6 months, I loaned it to a friend that thought it was out of calibration because "He Knew" what his radio was doing in wattage! Anyway when I got it back I fould out he had screwed it up and contacted Palstar and sent it back. As I told them this was MY fault that it was not working correctly! I got it back in less than two weeks (Part of the time was a weekend) and no charge for re-calibrating it. This is what I call superb service, the meter woks great again! I Highly recommend this meter!!!!
N2GYI Rating: 2006-06-09
Not very accurate Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased this unit new, directly from Palstar. Compared to my Bird 43 wattmeter, the PM2000A is surprisingly innaccurate. For example, with 100 watts into a 50 ohm dummy load, the PM2000A reads as follows: 88 watts on 10 meters, 92 watts on 15 meters, 100 watts on 20 meters, 108 watts on 40 meters, and 112 watts on 80 meters. After a week of trying to work with this, I decided that the lack of accuracy was just plain unacceptable. I called Palstar and spoke to Paul, who suggested I return it for repair, promissing a quick turnaround. After three weeks, several emails and a phone call, Paul said the problem was most likely just an incorrectly wound toroid in the sensor pickup circuit. Well, hate to tell you all, what I got back was exactly what I sent in! Same lack of accuracy. As indicated above, it is fine on 20 meters, but any place else, this is just an expensive paper weight. Too bad, because it certainly looks like it is well made.
RONPARSELL_EX_K1RON Rating: 2006-05-21
Good Value Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I use my Palstar PM2000A for portable and mobile use. I found the PEP readings to be accurate at the 100-1000 watt power levels I tested, and the twin needle SWR reading is handy when mobile, where antenna changes are frequent. For the reasonable price, this meter is a bargain. Paul at Palstar is fair and committed to quality.
N3ITN Rating: 2006-03-29
An exception to the rule... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
With the rule being most products don’t perform (or even come close) as advertised_ here is an exception. Its’ little brothers, the WM150 (which I have exactly the same comments about) aside, the PM2000A is unequalled by any other product in its price rage, or class of functionality. Anyone disappointed with this product must have received one that was fondled by the big ‘brown’ gorilla for two long.
W4TME Rating: 2006-03-02
No QC problems here Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
It is a shame that XE2VOO had such a bad experience with the build quality of his PM2000A. After reading his post, I decided to "inspect" mine for poor workmanship. The meter is well made with no cold solder joints. I also appreciate the Made in the USA components and construction. The only thing I can fault, if you can even call it a fault, is that the screws that hold the PCB on the bottom plate were just a tad loose. These do provide a ground connection, so I added a lock washer and tightened them up.

Before I chose the Palstar, I looked a lot of watt meters and read a bunch of reviews. I am very pleased with my choice.

The meter is dead on accurate showing just a 1% error at 100 watts and 400 watts for average power. The peak reading feature is a "true" peak reading watt meter and the peak hold function is very nice. I don't think KR3DX went far enough when he said this was a great station accessory - it should be a necessity.

-Tim