I'm pretty new to this stuff, and just got my tech call sign last Friday.  I put up an Diamond X200a antenna today, and began wondering if I need to get a swr meter for the 2m and 70cm bands.  I almost picked one up off craigslist that had 3 indicators (SWR, power and modulation)....but decided to wait and then found out it was only for HF.  What do you guys recommend?  

Thanks

Congrats on the new License !

I use this one, its cheap and it works, nothing fancy:

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/mfj-873


I like analog meters, nostalgia and all that.

SWR meter, how quaint. Buy an antenna analyzer before you buy an SWR meter.

Or a bird and appropriate slugs for hte application.

Sounds like CB equipment.

I second buying a VNA before getting a VHF/UHF swr meter, far more useful. If you're only using FM I'd probably never buy one. My HF one broke a while ago and I haven't really missed it, the swr meter on the radio works well enough. If you are using an hf amp then you really should have a power meter, or driving a brick with a transverter or something where output power levels actually matter.

They are handy to have. I doubt the antenna you have is off from the factory...

Should you get one? Sure. Look at the Diamond brand meters. Good for the money. The Bird mentioned is a pro level meter but can be had for a fair price. I personally have had a Diamond but now have a Telewave 44A. Did the Diamond work? Sure it did. Is the Telewave more accurate? Absolutely. But ~$120 meter bs a $1100 meter... Those are probably overkill for your needs but amazing meters. A Bird is on my want list as well... More can be said about the high end meters but unless you want to sink the cash into them that's a different conversation.

Antenna analyzers or VNAs are great and very handy especially if you plan on getting into building antennas.  

I personally think that if you're just wanting to know your antenna/system is working right that a simple SWR meter is good to go or even tuning basic antennas.

Nano VNA? Seems like a lot of capability for $50.

This is a good meter. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of designing and buliding of antennas, it'll be perfectly adequate.

Thanks guys, I'll just hold off for now.  I'd like to get into antenna building but I'm not there yet.  

I like the Daiwa 801 series personally. Large and easy to read, but accurate and takes some abuse.

(zoomed in from earlier photos)