looking at swr meters

[Coalsmoke]

There appears to be two main types of swr meters: ones that are put in series with the cb radio / antenna, and ones that have their own antenna and therefor require no extra hook-up cables. Which should I be looking for, if it really matters?

 

[KBennett]

It's been over 15 years since I have used an SWR meter so you are testing my memory but I will try my best. I used to tune radios and antennas at a shop when I was in high school.



I have never heard of an SWR meter that had a "built in antenna". The units that had a built in antenna were called a dummy load. You should use one that you can put in series. This will have a selector that will let you switch between watts going out and reflected watts and will allow you to see how much power your radio is putting out and how much is being reflected back. You can then tune your antenna by adjusting the length.



Placement of the antenna is critical in low frequency situations like CB's or anything around 30 MHz. The FRS radios I think are around 800 MHz and don't require nearly the ground plane or antenna because the wavelength is so short. Cell phones are even higher at 1+ GHz.

 

[WM-300]

Meters

You are describing 2 different types of meters that do different jobs.



A standing wave ratio meter goes in series with your antenna line. It measures forward and reflected power and displays the result of the mis match or perfect tuning. There are different ypes of this meter. I have Bird 43 in line watt meter. It displays the forward power to the antenna and the reflected power coming back at the transmitter. Other meters will display this as a number ratio.



The meter with its own antenna that you mention is mostly a Field Strength Meter. This is used to make 'rough' determinations

of a transmitter having power out.



You are looling for a SWR meter if you want to tune an antenna. If you plan to operate on 1 frequency only, then tune the antenna for that frequency. If you are using a number of different frequencies, tune the antenna for the middle frequency. This will give you the best results.



Follow the directions for your specific antenna. If cutting is required to tune your specific antenna, BE CAREFUL, cut small amounts at a time. You can easily ruin an antenna by cutting to much off.



Paul

 

[Coalsmoke]

ok, thanks for clearing that up guys. I'll get an inline swr meter.

 

[JRodgers]

Make sure you get one that will mount in the gauge pod.



Joe

N5WY

 

[Coalsmoke]

I wasn't planning on having it hooked up all the time. Should I be planning this? If so, who makes a 2" round one?

 

[yogibear]

No Coalsmoke, once you get it set, check it every few months, don't leave it inline!!

 

[Coalsmoke]

Didn't think I should. Thanks Yogibear