Please bear with my lack of knowledge.


As a general rule, how accurate are the cheapo SWR meters when it comes to measuring output wattage ??

I have a "DIESEL" brand SWR meter that seems to be plenty accurate enough for my purposes when it comes to measuring SWR.

I just used this meter to check the output of three un-altered Cobra radios, two 29WXNWST and a 29LTD ARMY.


Neither of the three radios tested over 2- to 2.5-watts according to my meter.


Are my findings typical, or is it more likely that my meter is inaccurate ??


To perform these output checks, I had the meter connected the same as for checking SWR, with the switches set on 0-10-watts and POWER, taking the reading with the mic keyed.

Thanks.