probably a stupid question, can I measure Watt output with a multimeter

[xShadowx]

So i have been looking a VSWR for measuring power output and reflected power, but most of the ones I have seen are either super low quality or way too expensive. Can I just put my multimeter on the radio concacts and measure the wattage output? also any reccomendation on decent VSWR meter under $100. half the ones om amazon dont list the meter connection type.

[jmoylan69]

no, not directly because power is a product of current and volts. that is, watts is a product of current in amps and volts, however you could in theory devise a way to determine the amps being delivered to the antenna if you could separate the antenna from the radio, make a series connection thus leaving it connected and measuring amps. if you remover the antenna and try to key up without some load, ooops there it went.   then you'd need to measure volts separately and thereby get a conversion for watts. however, this is what your antenna analyzer is doing for you.

 

my thoughts on the issue

[coryb27]

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/daiwa-cn-103l-1198.html

 

100 bucks, does power and SWR. I own 2 of these i leave inline in my UHF and VHF base radios. No issues at all. I have compared them to my calibrated BIRD meter and they are extremely close in accuracy.

[xShadowx]

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/daiwa-cn-103l-1198.html

 

100 bucks, does power and SWR. I own 2 of these i leave inline in my UHF and VHF base radios. No issues at all. I have compared them to my calibrated BIRD meter and they are extremely close in accuracy.

 

thanks, looks like a lot better unit than what I was seeing, are the so-239 the same as the pl-239 connectors? i was going to convert/adapt to bnc for ease to use to match my radio systems

[n4gix]

SO-239 is the female to the PL-259's male.

[xShadowx]

SO-239 is the female to the PL-259's male.

can do, thanks, found some connectors and cables to get me to BNC for about $17, gonna order it all on payday

[coryb27]

its the best wide band meter for the buck and like I said, side by side with a calibrated BIRD both of mine are close enough that it would not make a difference.

 

[jmoylan69]

you know, i cant believe it. i totally spaced it on those. and we covered that a couple months back in ham class. wow. talk about your Brain *%^*&^%

 

 

and its perfect, made for the 2m to 70cm bands. i like it.