METROPWR FX774 – FX778 Digital SWR / Power Meter
The METROPWR FX778 is a modern fully digital SWR / POWER METER designed for HF and 50 MHz radio stations.
It combines a high-performance wattmeter, SWR meter, frequency counter and smart antenna/radio switching control in one compact instrument.
The FX778 is powered by a fast 32-bit processor and uses real-time digital processing to measure forward power, reflected power and SWR with high speed and stability.
The new firmware has been completely updated: the SWR is now calculated directly from real FWD / REF power, with a dedicated REF measurement.
The FX778 can measure:
- Forward Power in AVG and PEP mode
- Reflected Power
- Power in dBm
- SWR calculated from real FWD / REF power
- Operating frequency
- Operating amateur band
- Trasmission time
- CH1 / CH2 RF channel status
- SWA / SWB antenna switch position
The FX778 includes a high-speed external control bus that allows accessories to be connected and managed directly from the touch screen, including:
- 2 x Z3 / Z5 directional RF sensors
- ZX7 antenna switch 1×4 positions
- Radio / antenna switching accessories
- LAN interface for remote control (FX778N)
Remote control and network operation
The FX778 is designed for local and remote operation. It can communicate through USB or LAN, allowing the wattmeter to be monitored and controlled from a PC or over the network.
This makes the FX778 suitable for modern radio stations, remote installations and Internet-controlled setups.
Through the integrated control menu, the FX778 can manage two RF channels and control external switch units, allowing flexible radio and antenna routing directly from the touch screen.
New real-time measurement system
The new FX778 firmware introduces a cleaner and more accurate measurement structure:
- AD8302 vector section removed
- R / Z / X measurement removed
- SWR calculated from real forward and reflected power
- REF measurement using AD8310 detector
- Forward power calibration with 2-point calibration
- REF calibration from the touch screen menu
- Per-band forward attenuation calibration
- 11-band automatic calibration table
- Frequency-latched band tracking during TX
- Fast real-time display refresh
Smart measurement modes
The FX778 includes multiple display and measurement modes:
- PEP mode for peak envelope power
- AVG mode for average power
- REF mode for reflected power monitoring
- S-meter style bargraph selectable between PEP / REF / AVG
- HOLD function for peak reading
- Auto scale for easy power reading
- Analog VU style display for power and SWR
The instrument automatically follows the operating band during transmission and applies the correct calibration data for the selected RF channel and frequency range.
Technical Features – METROPWR FX778
- Coverage: HF / 50 MHz, 1.8–60 MHz operating range
- Amateur bands: 160 m to 6 m
- Measured parameters: Power AVG, Power PEP, REF Power, dBm, SWR, Frequency, Band
- SWR calculation: from real forward and reflected power
- Forward detector calibration: 2-point calibration
- REF detector: AD8310 based measurement chain
- REF calibration: touch screen calibration menu
- Per-band calibration: 11 bands for CH1 and CH2
- RF channels: CH1 / CH2 selectable
- Power range: autoranging display up to 5.5 kW, internal limit up to 6 kW
- Optional sensors: Z3 / Z5 directional sensors
- Optional couplers: 3 kW / 5 kW versions
- Frequency counter: integrated, with calibration factor
- Frequency tracking: latched band during TX
- SWR alarm: selectable OFF / 2.0 / 3.0 / 5.0
- Display: large color touch screen
- Processor: 32-bit digital processing
- Communication: USB or LAN
- Remote control: supported through LAN connection
- Antenna switch control: SWA / SWB support
- Brightness control: selectable display levels
- Screen saver: selectable sleep time
- Firmware update: via USB
- Operating voltage: 9–13.8 V DC
Compatible accessories
Z3 / Z5 Directional RF Sensors
- HF / 50 MHz directional power sensor
- Available power versions for 3 kW and 5 kW systems
- FWD and REF measurement outputs
- SO-239 RF connectors
- SMA measurement connectors
- Designed for FX778 calibration system
ZX7 Smart Antenna Switch
- 1×4 antenna switch
- Remote control from FX778 touch screen
- SWA / SWB selectable control
- LAN / control bus compatible
- No external front-panel controller required when used with FX778
Software and remote operation
The FX778 can be connected to Metropwr software for Windows and macOS through USB or LAN.
The LAN mode allows remote monitoring and control of the wattmeter, making the system ideal for remote stations and network-controlled radio installations.
FAQ
Can you install a network card on FX774/8?
Yes, it can be mounted internally.
Does the FX774/8 arrive calibrated?
Yes, the FX774/8 arrives factory calibrated.
What is the difference between FX774 and FX778?
The FX778 has a 7″ display while FX774 has a 5″ display, both have the same firmware and features.
Which parameters can the FX774/8 measure?
The FX774/8 measures AVG Power, PEP Power, REF Power, dBm, SWR, operating band and TX time.
Can I use the FX774/8* remotely?
Yes. The FX778/4 supports USB and LAN communication. With LAN connection it can be monitored and controlled remotely.
Does the FX774/8 support antenna switching?
Yes. The FX774/8 can control external Metropwr switch units and display SWA / SWB positions directly on the touch screen.
Does the FX774/8 support CH1 and CH2?
Yes. The FX774/8 supports CH1 / CH2 selection and stores calibration data for both channels.
Does the FX774/8 have SWR alarm?
Yes. The SWR alarm can be set to OFF, SWR 2.0, SWR 3.0 or SWR 5.0.
Can the FX774/8 display PEP and AVG?
Yes. The FX778 supports both PEP and AVG modes, including a selectable secondary S-meter style display for PEP, REF or AVG.
Which sensors can be used?
The FX774/8 is designed to work with Metropwr Z-series directional RF sensors, including 3 kW and 5 kW versions or old sensor FX3,FX5.
Is the FX774/8* suitable for remote stations?
Yes. Thanks to LAN communication, touch screen control, external switch control and automatic band tracking, the FX774/8 is suitable for modern local and remote radio stations.
What is the difference between old FX775 and FX778?
The FX778 uses a new firmware and measurement structure. The AD8302 vector section and R / Z / X measurements have been removed. The FX778 calculates SWR from real forward and reflected power and uses an AD8310-based REF measurement chain.
*NOTE: if the optional network card ZLan is installed