View Full Version : Value of Drake WM-4
KB6GK
10-19-2005, 03:30 PM
Does anyone know what a Drake WM-4 wattmeter is worth these days. I picked one up at a garage sale, and am wondering if I should sell it or keep it on my shelf, unused.
Is there a demand for these? Please email me
giu@sbcglobal.net
W0LPQ
10-19-2005, 03:48 PM
I paid $50 for a good shape W-4 last year. #Have seen them go for $50 to $75, do not know if they got the asking price or not. Mine is in-line with the TR4-4C/RV-4C.
The W-4 is a nice meter, accuracy into 50 ohms is darn close to my Bird 43.
Bill, W0LPQ
WB2WIK
10-19-2005, 06:23 PM
I don't remember a "WM-4." I do have the W-4 (HF) and WV-4 (VHF) meters, and they're not bad.
Pretty looking, and the couplers are removable so they can be located away from the meter/housings. I always like that feature, and always use it. Much better than having heavy cables coming to desktop equipment.
I'd think either one (W-4 or WV-4) is easily worth $50, maybe more like $75 or $80.
WB2WIK/6
wa9cwx
10-20-2005, 12:35 AM
If any Drake wattmeter is in LIKE NEW condition, sell it on eBay if you do not want it. It is easily worth $75++.
A decent shape but not mint one is worth $50.00.
The Drake 7 line meter is in line here (can't remember the designation, WH7 I think), and is the best I have ever had.
A few years back I saw a creative writer sell an HF version on the eplace for over 200 dollars. All of the others I had seen up to that point went for about 60-75 dollars. He separated the sampling box from the meter box and furnished some pictures calling it a remote reading wattmeter. People who did not know they could be separated went ballistic with their bidding
I checked the one I owned against a calibrated meter and it was within about 2 watts as near as I could tell (scales were different). If it hasn't been abused and the meter hasn't been banged against the peg, it can be a good meter.
I have owned one for many years and have never given any thought to selling it. Too nice a wattmeter! If you got it for a song keep it as a prize! You can allways use a good wattmeter. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif