No elements to swap. No calibration delays. Zero configuration required. Just reliable results, for CW or digitally modulated signals.
Start measuring instantly—no need to install or swap field elements.
Industry-leading ±4.0% accuracy for precise power measurements over a wide frequency range.
Measure CW and digitally modulated signals from 2 MHz to 1 GHz with confidence.
Accurately measures both digital and CW signals for dependable performance.
Discover the key features of the 4480A in just 30 seconds. Watch how its element-free design, precision accuracy, and wide frequency range make it the ideal solution for your RF measurement needs.
You have trusted Bird CW wattmeters for good reason. But RF systems have evolved, and the tools used need to keep up.
The 4480A continues Bird's legacy of thruline measurements, robust durability and trusted accuracy. But it goes further—delivering the speed, clarity, and precision today’s RF environments demand.
View ManualAnalog wattmeters often lack precision at higher frequencies or power levels. The 4480A delivers industry-leading accuracy of ±4.0%, enabling precise power measurements across a broad frequency range and reducing uncertainty.
Analog wattmeters require frequent calibration and element replacement, leading to potential errors and downtime. The 4480A’s element-free design reduces maintenance and improves operational efficiency.
Analog wattmeters often have limited frequency coverage due to narrow band elements. The 4480A spans 2 MHz to 1 GHz, making it suitable for high-frequency and broadband testing.
With analog wattmeters, users must often deal with the hassle of recalibrating or swapping elements when changing measurement parameters. The 4480A eliminates these steps, providing quick and consistent measurements without frequent adjustments.
The wear and tear associated with analog wattmeters using elements can degrade performance over time, affecting accuracy. The 4480A’s solid-state, element-free design ensures consistent performance and minimizes maintenance costs.
The Bird 4480A is well-suited for applications where high accuracy and reliable power measurements are required across mid to high-frequency ranges (2 - 1000 MHz). It is particularly a good fit for:
The Bird 4480A, while highly capable, is not always the best choice for every application. It may not be suitable for:
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Unlike traditional analog wattmeters that can overestimate power on digitally modulated signals, the 4480A accurately measures true average power. This ensures more reliable system calibration, better communication reliability, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Yes. The 4480A measures forward and reflected power simultaneously and displays VSWR in real time — no manual calculations required.
Yes. The 4480A uses Schottky diodes operating in the square law region, allowing it to provide true average power measurements for both traditional CW signals and modern digitally modulated signals like AM, FM, and other complex formats.
Because when you're working with complex digital signals, small measurement errors can lead to big problems—missed faults, incorrect power levels, or wasted time troubleshooting issues that aren’t really there.
The 4480A delivers ±4% accuracy across its full operating range, including on digitally modulated signals. That means:
You get reliable, repeatable readings, even in noisy or dynamic RF environments
You can trust what you’re seeing—no guessing, no second tests
You stay within spec for power limits, system balance, and performance compliance
In short, accuracy protects your system and your time—and the 4480A is built to give you that confidence without the need for calibration curves, correction factors, or ideal lab conditions.
We recommend recalibration every 12 months to ensure the highest measurement accuracy. This interval aligns with industry best practices for RF power measurement equipment.
Keeping equipment calibrated is the number one way to ensure performance and longevity. A Bird Calibration means we fully test your equipment and adjust it as needed to ensure it’s meeting specs.
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