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Reviews For: Daiwa CN-801HP true PEP reading meter

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : Daiwa CN-801HP true PEP reading meter
Reviews: 40MSRP: $149.00
Description:
1.8 through 200Mhz peak reading cross needle watt/swr meter. Illuminated meter. 20-200-2000W ranges. Read SWR and power out simultaneously w/o swr calibration.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.daiwa-industry.co.jp/radio/ham_e/cn801ehp.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00403.9
WO8USA Rating: 2010-10-13
Nice Meter--highly Recommended Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love the meter...the only improvement I'd want is the ability to see peak power while seeing SWR. This only provides SWR cross meter on average power. Either way its a nice meter, I have no regrets about buying it from R&L Electronics in Hamilton, OH.
W4NFR Rating: 2010-10-13
Needs Peak Hold Feature Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
No peak hold or reflected power in PEP mode. Time owned: One Day
The first thing I did was recalibrate it to match my peak reading Bird 43 peak meter. The power levels match up now, but needs a peak hold.
The meter works as advertised and looks nice, but I found two operating conditions that annoy me. 1) No peak hold on PEP mode, have to be quick to read the scale. 2) Reflected power does not read in PEP mode, AVG only - why not Daiwa?. I have been using the Daiwa NS-660PA for years now and I guess that I am just spoiled the way the peak hold works. The meter is a 5 on its own, but with the two short comings I'll give it a 3. Also, Daiwa does not provide a schematic with the operating sheet included. Wish somebody could provide me with or tell me where I could get a schematic?
KC0GSB Rating: 2010-03-28
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used one for several years. I did recalibrate it using the Bird 43P. After that it worked very well. I broke mine by accident and replaced it with a Swan WM-3000. The Diawa has a nice large meter and is well lit, perfect for bad eyesight. I decided not to buy another as other, older, excellent meters are available cheaper. If this meter was all I had, I wouldn't complain.
G4DYO Rating: 2009-11-04
PEP reading fault Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The meter has worked well since I purchased it about 15 months ago.
Unfortunately today it developed a fault so that the PEP meter constantly reads 1200 watts, even without a transmitter plugged in! When switched off the meter returns to zero; when switched on it jumps to 1200 watts.
If anyone has any idea what may be the cause I would be very pleased to hear at g4dyo@aol.com
KK2DOG Rating: 2009-08-26
Good Meter Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought the Daiwa CN-801HP to use primaily on 6-meters with my converted Heathkit SB-200 amplifier and I am quite satisfied with its performance. I also own a Daiwa CN-801V for VHF/UHF work, and a Palstar PM2000A for HF as well. The CN-801HP gives me a true PEP reading, and pretty-much runs neck-n-neck with the Palstar. Great meter, and MUCH better than the old Daiwa CN-801 series. Get one.

Mike KK2DOG
www.hamwave.com
ZL3AG Rating: 2008-02-26
Needs Modifications Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had one of these for 9 months and I was always disappointed with the lack of peak-hold action. In fact the PEP reading seemed lazy and I was starting to doubt the health of the tubes in my Linear (FL2500).

When I investigated the circuit, found that the peak hold timing was acheived with a 220uF electrolytic with 2k ohms accross it. Considering the limited current delivery of a 358 op-amp, the 220uF was NEVER going to charge successfully with syllabic-rate DC drive. I replaced the 220uF with a low leakage 0.47uF capacitor and the 2k with 3MegOhm. Recalibrated and now marvellous. Nothing wrong with my Linear.

Also while apart, placed a switch in the lamp circuit as the constant glow can be annoying.

Diawa needs a lesson in Op-Amp theory! Now a "5" and the peak-hold is great.
WA6QGH Rating: 2007-08-06
Good Wattmeter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the unit back in June 2007. I purchased the unit for use on 6 meters and with large scale it is very easy to read. I compared the unit to my Bird 43 on 6 meters and found difference was more than 5%. I removed the cover and noticed there were 6 trimmer pots. I found that 3 of the trimmer pots were for forward watts at three different power level settings. The other 3 trimmer pots were for reverse watts at the three different power levels. I adjusted the low power trimmer pot at 10 watts and medium power at 90 watts compared to my Bird 43 into a dummy load. I like PEP feature of the wattmeter but it is not as good as peak hold function on my Palstar tuner.I am very satisfied with its performance.
TF3JB Rating: 2007-03-30
An excellent SWR/POWER meter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having recently become QRV again I was in the market for a swr/power meter. Looking around, I found that there is a good supply of various kinds of such devices on the market. However, having had a good experience with Daiwa cross needle swr/watt meters when they first came on the market about 30 years ago, I decided to get the CN-801HP model, which comes with a peak-reading function. The cost (with import duties) to this country was about USD 170.

My first impression, opening the box, was “wow” this is a large meter. Especially with reference to other equipment in the shack that nowadays have become more compact than ever. The rather large size has, however, become an asset when operating since I place the unit to the side of my operating position, which would not be possible with a smaller unit for monitoring purposes.

The meter has proved to be excellent. I mostly use the 0-20 and 0-200 Watt scales, but it has the possibility to measure up to 2000 Watts of RF (from 1.8 through 200 MHz). To be able to have a read-out of SWR and power simultaneously (without recalibration) is just great. I also like the PEP function. Although reflected power does not read in the PEP-mode as one reviewer has pointed out; this has not bothered me. When transmitting, this is the metering I monitor the most, along with the frequency readout and the S-meter on the FT-840 transceiver.

I have not used it much on VHF; just briefly tested it and it seems to work fine. I did test the accuracy on HF with regard to power output against a Bird 43 and it was within 1 Watt (measuring up to 100 watts of tx output). If there is anything I might complain about it would be the brightness of the green/blue backlight. I do like that it is there, but I would recommend Daiwa to provide an on/off switch for it. On my unit the backlight shines very bright and that gives me the uncomfortable feeling that the blub might not last for long. I might though remedy this myself in the near future.

Overall, a very nice meter. I like the attention Daiwa has given to detail in their design of the unit. It is practical and has a feeling of quality. I can recommend the CN-801HP to all hams.
N6NKN Rating: 2007-03-28
Great For My 'Ol Eyes Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a meter with a large display , and this one fits the bill. I like the cross needle on average power, and the PEP only feature. Accuracy is fine for my purpose. When I get my amp I'll be ready to go to 1500 watts or 15 watts on the same meter. Lighting is fine, and the meter looks great
on the desk.

I would buy another.
K2QE Rating: 2007-03-22
good looking; needs alignment Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Does anyone have a schematic or alignment info on this unit? Unit reads quite a bit off from my Coaxial Dynamics. The Daiwa web site link for contacting Daiwa does not work ...