Swr
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
From: Canisteo, NY
I didn't read through all the instructions as i have already done it a million times. Make sure it's 3 or lower. If it's not, you can fry your CB. It's fine to listen to it when the SWR is over 3, but if you key up the mic when SWR is over 3 you are doing damage. Good luck in getting it tuned.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
From: Central, IL (Peoria Area)
I'd try to get it below 2 to be safe, 1.5 or less is what your shooting for but this involves antenna tuning coax length as well as antenna location. Try to run a top load antenna, that will help on a jeep.
JK Jedi
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 10
From: Georgia
Hay! Those instructions look familiar.
**** These are the basic instructions that typically come with the meter ****
CONNECTING THE METER
To connect this meter to your CB or amateur radio and your antenna, you
need RG-58U coaxial cable (not supplied) with a PL-259 connector on both
ends (such as RadioShack Cat. No. 278-968). The cable must reach from
the back of the meter to your radio's antenna jack.
Follow these steps to connect the meter to your radio and antenna.
1. Turn off your radio. Then disconnect the antenna from the radio and
plug it into ANTENNA on the back of the meter.
2. Plug the coaxial cable into the radio's antenna jack and into
TRANSMITTER on the back of the meter.
CALIBRATING THE METER/MEASURING SWR
1. Set CALIBRATION/FS/SWR on the front of the meter to CALIBRATION/FS.
2. Turn on your radio. Then select a channel or frequency on your
transmitter and hold down its transmit key. Do not speak into the
microphone.
Notes: An SWR reading will be different for different frequencies
(channels). If you transmit on one channel more often then
any other, select that channel. If you transmit on several
channels, choose a frequency in the middle of the range of
channels you use. (For example, if you transmit on all 40 CB
channels, choose Channel 20, because it is midway between
Channel 1 and Channel 40.)
If you use a CB that has sideboard modes (SSB), do not select
any of these modes. (Use only AM for SWR measurements).
If you have an amateur radio, select the continuous wave (CW)
or tuning mode to check the SWR.
3. While you hold down the transmit key, rotate the meter's knob until
the needle points to CAL.
4. Release the transmit key, then set CALIBRATION/FS/SWR to SWR.
5. Press the transmit key again, then read the SWR by noting the needle's
position on the upper SWR scale. A meter reading of 1 on the upper
scale is ideal.
The figure shown between the upper and lower scales on the meter
(% REF POWER) indicates the percentage of power that is wasted
through reflection of the signal from the antenna back into the
antenna cable. For example, an SWR reading of 1.5 also means that 4%
of your signal power is lost. However, 96% of the radio power is more
than enough for almost all applications.
6. Repeat Steps 1-5 for each channel or frequency you want to get an SWR
reading for.
Interpreting SWR Readings
An ideal SWR reading is 1.0, but this reading is usually possible only
under laboratory conditions or with a dummy load. Actual antenna
installations have higher readings. The information below will help you
interpret the readings you get.
SWR Efficiency Interpretation
1.0 to 1.5 Excellent The antenna cable and the antenna length
match the transmitter's output
requirements almost perfectly.
1.5 to 2.0 Very good The antenna, the cable, and the
transmitter operate very efficiently.
2.0 to 3.0 Acceptable The antenna, the cable, and the
transmitter operate with some loss. If
possible, adjust your antenna or antenna
mounting system to improve.
Above 3.0 Inefficient Adjust your antenna or antenna mounting
system to improve efficiency.
CONNECTING THE METER
To connect this meter to your CB or amateur radio and your antenna, you
need RG-58U coaxial cable (not supplied) with a PL-259 connector on both
ends (such as RadioShack Cat. No. 278-968). The cable must reach from
the back of the meter to your radio's antenna jack.
Follow these steps to connect the meter to your radio and antenna.
1. Turn off your radio. Then disconnect the antenna from the radio and
plug it into ANTENNA on the back of the meter.
2. Plug the coaxial cable into the radio's antenna jack and into
TRANSMITTER on the back of the meter.
CALIBRATING THE METER/MEASURING SWR
1. Set CALIBRATION/FS/SWR on the front of the meter to CALIBRATION/FS.
2. Turn on your radio. Then select a channel or frequency on your
transmitter and hold down its transmit key. Do not speak into the
microphone.
Notes: An SWR reading will be different for different frequencies
(channels). If you transmit on one channel more often then
any other, select that channel. If you transmit on several
channels, choose a frequency in the middle of the range of
channels you use. (For example, if you transmit on all 40 CB
channels, choose Channel 20, because it is midway between
Channel 1 and Channel 40.)
If you use a CB that has sideboard modes (SSB), do not select
any of these modes. (Use only AM for SWR measurements).
If you have an amateur radio, select the continuous wave (CW)
or tuning mode to check the SWR.
3. While you hold down the transmit key, rotate the meter's knob until
the needle points to CAL.
4. Release the transmit key, then set CALIBRATION/FS/SWR to SWR.
5. Press the transmit key again, then read the SWR by noting the needle's
position on the upper SWR scale. A meter reading of 1 on the upper
scale is ideal.
The figure shown between the upper and lower scales on the meter
(% REF POWER) indicates the percentage of power that is wasted
through reflection of the signal from the antenna back into the
antenna cable. For example, an SWR reading of 1.5 also means that 4%
of your signal power is lost. However, 96% of the radio power is more
than enough for almost all applications.
6. Repeat Steps 1-5 for each channel or frequency you want to get an SWR
reading for.
Interpreting SWR Readings
An ideal SWR reading is 1.0, but this reading is usually possible only
under laboratory conditions or with a dummy load. Actual antenna
installations have higher readings. The information below will help you
interpret the readings you get.
SWR Efficiency Interpretation
1.0 to 1.5 Excellent The antenna cable and the antenna length
match the transmitter's output
requirements almost perfectly.
1.5 to 2.0 Very good The antenna, the cable, and the
transmitter operate very efficiently.
2.0 to 3.0 Acceptable The antenna, the cable, and the
transmitter operate with some loss. If
possible, adjust your antenna or antenna
mounting system to improve.
Above 3.0 Inefficient Adjust your antenna or antenna mounting
system to improve efficiency.
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
From: Canisteo, NY
I live in a pretty rural place and it's hard for me to find a decent spot to do it. You are supposed to be in a big open area, away from trees, power lines and metal structures. (including other vehicles) Your probably not going to find a perfect place to tune it, but find a place that matches as much of that criteria as possible.
Also as stated above, you want to shoot for below 2. I personally won't run anything over 2. Some people say oh it doesn't much matter if your in between 2 and 3, but I don't like it, and I'm not going to fry my radio. Good luck on the tuning and let us know how you made out.
Also as stated above, you want to shoot for below 2. I personally won't run anything over 2. Some people say oh it doesn't much matter if your in between 2 and 3, but I don't like it, and I'm not going to fry my radio. Good luck on the tuning and let us know how you made out.
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JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Daytona, FL.
Here's a very good link to setting the swr.
firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm
Just add the www.
I have found that the shorter the antenna the more narrow the band your swr will be good on CH20 and high on each end CH 1 and 40 so try to get the best swr for the channel most used.
Good luck.
firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm
Just add the www.
I have found that the shorter the antenna the more narrow the band your swr will be good on CH20 and high on each end CH 1 and 40 so try to get the best swr for the channel most used.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, New Jersey
stupid question cause i havent had time to go on any runs yet what channel is used most in the woods?
and also what do i set the "sensitivity" or "set"
and also what do i set the "sensitivity" or "set"
Last edited by MattMac1291; Oct 24, 2008 at 05:53 AM.