Another CB Question

[Diesel&Donuts]

I have a Cobra 29LTD Classic. It has a built in meter that shows the S/RF, SWR, CAL. With the SWR/CAL knob can I use the Cal knob to tune in the antenna or should I use a regular SWR meter to tune in the antenna?

Thanks,

Harold

 

[Pawpaw]

The CAL knob is used to calibrate the SWR before taking the measurement. In other words, if you use it like you're saying, you will change the SWR reading on the meter, but you won't have adjusted anything. It will not adjust the antenna.



Having a SWR meter built into the radio only reduces the need for an external meter. It does not change the requirement to adjust the antenna.



I said "reduces" instead of "eliminates" above because I have never 100% trusted the built-in meters. They are subject to much more abuse than a standalone meter.



Bob

 

[bmoeller]

External meter would be best. Can be had fairly cheap.

 

[Diesel&Donuts]

Thanks guys for your replys. I was hoping that I could use the built in SWR meter as a quick and easy shortcut.

Harold

 

[BigPapa]

I checked mine on my 29 against an external and it was pretty close. Most shops will check it for you. One of our Mid-Tenn members is into HAM and he brought a trick little meter to our last meeting. He could hook it up to the antennae and tune the freq on his meter and tell you what adjustments to make. I was impressed.



Scott