Bird 43 Watt Meter Replacement Kit, Radio Test Equipment.
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- Refurbishing a beat up Bird 43 watt meter to make it reliable. Some talk about this essential test equipment needed to maintain your radio system. Perhaps a way to get a bulletproof watt meter for almost 1/3 to 1/2 the price.
tags:
shtf wrol prepper preppers prepping survivalist simplex repeater comm comms communication communications ham amateur radio survivalism disaster EMCOMM preparedness
2:37 - If for each tap you make on the meter with your radio, the radio loses 0.01 Watts of transmission power capability, you can only use this technique for getting your Bird to chirp another 100 times before your radio loses one full Watt of power.
Hi there I had one that done this, and I found it was a bad connection on the bottom end of the coax where it connected to the through unit on the bottom casting, I gave it clean and put it back with some switch cleaner and its been alright ever since, that was about 3 years ago, also that wire clip that goes across the terminals is to stop the meter pointer flying around in transit, in fact when you transport these meters its a good idea to turn the slug 1/4 turn so it kinda short out the terminals for same reason...from Fred in England.
Thanks for sharing ! Bird meters are the gold standard. I replaced mine with a Telewave 44A its nice not having to deal with slugs.
Old meters like these are just beautiful in my opinion. Glad to see you fixing yours up!
I second that, Oliver. Happy new year to you and all who you love. I like old school analogue stuff better than digital. I find it more accurate most of the time. Easier to read and solidly dependable. No batteries for much of it either. I have seen these meters before but never used one. I did not know they are a watt meter combined with an SWR. I thought they only read wattage output, so I learned something new.
Awesome video...I got a Bird 43 meter with a 5 watt slug in a trade from a friend, and my meter does the same thing, or it did anyway. When I noticed it stick, I gave it a good whack on the top and shook it a little, then it started working fine and hasn't given me any trouble since. I am looking on eBay for replacement parts anyway, just in case. I know that I will have to replace the parts eventually. I also plan to install the PEP kit and multiplier kit as well. Great video, now I know what the problem is with my meter.
Haha, Thats what I used to do to get my to measure right. Finally got around to fixing it and things are good. I still tap the display out of habit. That Bird is an heirloom for sure, have fun with it.
-- Oh I plan to, and to get the 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 1500 watt slugs as well.
They are just so damn expensive, though...lol. The wife is gonna kill me...lol.
Unfortunatly, I know and feel your pain, lol.
GUERRILLACOMM
-- I believe that every married man does...lol. Always gotta "run it by The Boss" first...jeez.
Bird 43 or the Telewave something are the standards for the GCT 1, 2, 3. MJF has had some QC problems in the past with VHF/UHF Wattmeters.
I think I paid $120 for my 43 (in good shape with case). A friend bought one for $5, paid $80 for the rebuild kit and then even repainted it.
+rowdyraider556 Good deal on the friends $5 purchase... That was sort of the idea I wanted to convey, getting quality for cheap if you know what to look for.
good unit. I have one. you have shown me how easy it is to fix it.
Nice video - have used for year a Bird SWR meter and never seen whats inside of them. Stay safe ATB Richard
The video is a pretty decent explanation for the beginner; you know your stuff. As such, there's not a lot to these units as they were designed to be straightforward and simple to use - and they did their jobs very accurately.
This is meant respectfully: not sure why you had that "butthurt" message prefacing your video, but if you got any gas from any hams, write them off as assholes. They are *not* typical of the hobby. We always try to be helpful and appreciative of those who are beginning. Clearly you are well past the beginner's stage and possess the desire and talent to teach others!
Thanks again.
Bill, k6whp
Excellent suggestion. Thanks for sharing, and Happy New Year!
Once again you offer good advice/knowledge mate - please keep it up!
I have watched all your videos and never left comments. I would have to say I have gotten more from your vidoes in respect from a new guy just starting out in radio than anywhere else. Hopefully you never get tired from your work putting these vidoes out, as I'm sure i speak for many. Keep up the good work GC, and thank you!
Been following you for years and learning. Just bot a Bird 4368 for 25 bucks at a thrift store. Looks near new. It is not a 43, but I think it may use similar and rugged 50's technology. We will need a very reliable meter for antenna work. The chinese stuff cannot compare in terms for reliability.
Always enjoy the lessons.
thanks for sharing and happy new year GC
I’m really interested into your GMRS repeater systems. I would like to set up something similar. My interest is basically back up communication. It will be mostly for the family that’s closest to me . My brother and my son . My brother probably lives 5 miles from me . My son lives around 8 miles from me . I live in the middle and at the highest point.
With that said I’m thinking that if I put a repeater half way or a mile a away from my house on the highest point to my brother home . Set him up with a base station with a decent antenna he should be able to reach the repeater so he can reach me . Then I would like to do the same with my son . I live in southeast Ohio. Lots of hills . I’m sure I can come up with something . Using GMRS. That we can build a fairly solid comms. Also I’m new to the whole communications thing. It’s the part of my preps that I have put off . It’s just time now to work on it. So I’m open to any ideas also I’m the one paying for most of everything. So I trying to keep things into budget. I’m thinking midland micro mobile for base stations and Wouxun KG-805G handhelds.
So any recommendations and advise one simplex repeaters would be helpful as far as how much range and repeater placement I will have to work on that
That is the original! Hold on to the cable assembly from the old meter. That connector is hard to find. Long cable was for remote mounting the line section from the meter. I added a PEP measuring kit that was being marketed by another Ham some 20 years ago. It is literally a clone of the overpriced Bird PEP board. Hold onto any old Motoroni crypto equipped gear. Also useful in a SHTF. Few average individuals can monitor except for big brother.
+n3lee barcodes will change with revisions of products they sell. I have seen differences in stock numbers for the same product over the years.
Every time you used your HT for a hammer I cringed. lol
Your elements are not turned completely straight that may have been causing some of your problems they was loose you can watch them move while you were tapping on the meter that would give you a incorrect reading if they was not getting proper connection and on the end of the video you had the element in correctly and looks like it was latched in good it was reading correctly
Curious if you've tried the Telewave slug less meters? I've been using one for ~5 years, haven't run it long enough to have intermittent failures yet... just curious!
+n3lee borrowed one while working with others. pretty slick, it was newer so it did not have any battle scars. felt just as rugged as the birds.
I've got two, one with some scars, one without -- aside from compensation adjustments on low-band, it's a real nice unit! Mine have held up well! (I have a pair)
hi, i was just wondering what adapter or cable are you using to connect the handheld radio to the Watt meter, i need to test Radios at work and need adapter
I use a male SMA to female BNC adaptor. if you could find one by Amphinol, its a good low loss adaptor. Hope it helps.. Below is a link to something similar.
www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/lands-precision-5065-7990.html
Little bit of percussive maintenance
Very helpful, thanks!!!
Is that a barcode tag from Tessco?
+Subgunman Yes it is.
+GUERRILLACOMM Oddly enough, that doesn't show when i search it....
In all my years and all my hobbies....I have never met a more tattle tale, rule obsessed bunch of squares as the hams I've talked to. I'm glad to have my license but ironically don't use my radio much as I don't want to talk to those people.
+BurtBartlow I hear you. That bad 2% really turns people off to radio. But I think for the majority of them is to keep people out except for their kind. Best way to stick my finger in their eye is to get regular folks interested in radio.
+BurtBartlow I have seen this in more than just the hams though. It seems that in many hobbies they have technically skilled people you have some social awkwardness; look at many maker groups and Linux groups... My theory (as a mental health professional) is that as youngsters many of us were labeled as "nerds" and bullied because of our advanced knowledge. As we grew older this translated into maladaptive social skills.
..then you ought to get out more. A lot of hams love to "elmer" people - if those folks don't have an attitude. I mean, if you came to me with a serious question and a genuine desire to learn, I would be very grateful for the opportunity to help. Eminently more desirable than to be one of those "Baofeng Techs" who think ham radio is ONLY about a goddam $25 HT.
By the way, to the guy who made this video, thanks for your service, mate.
I respect this man and his channel too much to start an argument here.
Agreed, mine is in the drawer, I stick to 11 meters.
It's like watt meter morse 8)