Array Solutions PowerMaster II
$$$$·
| Frequency | 1.8-54 MHz with the HF/6 m coupler; optional VHF/UHF couplers cover 144-148, 222-225 and 420-450 MHz |
| Bands | HF (1.8-30 MHz), 6m, 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, power/SWR with HF + optional VHF/UHF couplers |
| Power | A digital RF power and VSWR meter, not a transmitter. The HF/6 m couplers are rated 3 kW or 10 kW (the 3 kW coupler displays up to 3005 W, 1 W minimum); optional VHF/UHF couplers handle 1-1500 W. Accuracy is typically about plus or minus 3 percent on HF/6 m and 5 percent on the VHF/UHF couplers. |
| Modes | power measurement (forward, reflected), VSWR, with a fast auto-ranging bar graph and peak hold |
| coupler rf | Separate in-line directional coupler with a choice of SO-239, N-type or 7/16 DIN connectors (HF/6 m coupler standard is SO-239) |
| coupler to display | Coupler links to the display with a shielded cable carrying DC only (no RF reaches the meter); remotable up to about 100 feet |
| pc | USB or RS-232 to a PC for the free remote-monitoring and analysis application |
| dc in | 12 V DC for the display head (an optional regulated linear supply, PS-12R1A, is available); the coupler itself is passive |
| power req | 12 V DC for the display head; the in-line coupler is passive and needs no power. |
A reference-grade digital power and SWR meter aimed at high-power stations. The coupler is remote and sends only DC to the display, keeping RF off the desk, and the bar graph is exceptionally fast for tuning an amplifier or tuner. It reads to 3 kW (or 10 kW with the high-power coupler) at typically plus or minus 3 percent with NIST-traceable calibration, has VSWR and power alarms with relays that can shut an amplifier down, takes a choice of SO-239, N or 7/16 DIN connectors, supports HF plus VHF/UHF couplers on one display, and includes free PC software.
It is expensive, especially once couplers are added, and the display head needs 12 V to run. Each band group needs its own coupler (HF/6 m plus separate VHF/UHF couplers), connector choice and high-power couplers add cost, and like any menu-driven digital meter the setup takes some learning. It measures power and SWR, not full complex impedance the way the Telepost LP-100A does.
The Array Solutions PowerMaster II is a top-tier digital power and SWR meter for serious and high-power stations: a remote DC-linked coupler, a blazing-fast tuning bar graph, about plus or minus 3 percent NIST-traceable accuracy, amplifier-protecting alarms, and couplers from 3 kW HF up to 10 kW or VHF/UHF. It suits an amplifier owner who wants accurate, protective metering; those who only run barefoot can spend far less on a cross-needle meter, and those who also want vector impedance look at the LP-100A.
The Array Solutions PowerMaster II is a high-end digital RF power and VSWR meter built for serious and high-power stations. Its defining feature is a separate two-box design: an in-line directional coupler goes in the feedline, often out at the amplifier, and connects to the desktop display with a shielded cable that carries only DC. No RF reaches the display, so there are no high-power coax runs cluttering the operating desk, and the coupler can be remoted up to about 100 feet with no loss of accuracy.
The HF and 6 meter couplers come in 3 kW and 10 kW ratings covering 1.8 to 54 MHz; the 3 kW coupler displays up to 3005 watts and down to 1 watt. Optional VHF and UHF couplers extend coverage to the 2 meter, 1.25 meter and 70 centimeter bands at up to 1500 watts, and one display can work with more than one coupler. The large sunlight-readable LCD shows forward power, reflected power and VSWR at the same time, with an exceptionally fast auto-ranging bar graph, fast enough to catch the first dit at 99 words per minute, which makes peaking an amplifier or dipping a tuner much easier than with a swinging needle. Accuracy is typically better than three percent across frequency and temperature, backed by NIST-traceable calibration.
For protection it has programmable VSWR and power alarms, each with an LED and a relay that can trip an amplifier, plus selectable peak-hold timing. Connectors are a choice of SO-239, N-type or 7/16 DIN, the cases are all metal with rack-mount options, and a USB or RS-232 link to a PC adds free remote-monitoring and analysis software. It is made in the USA, and the display with a 3 kW HF/6 m coupler runs around $500 to $650.
It competes directly with the Telepost LP-100A, which adds vector impedance measurement, while the classic Bird 43 is the analog through-line standard. Operators who only run barefoot power can save with a cross-needle meter such as the Daiwa CN-901HP.