How to use a SWR Meter – Part One

Using a SWR meter to make sure your CB antenna is tuned.

/15 Comments/by
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15 replies
  1. racecardriver467
    racecardriver467 says:

    do you need this for any CB radio that does not have an SWR meter built in?? i got a Cobra 19DX 4, would i need one?

    Reply
  2. UKCBTV
    UKCBTV says:

    – you do – some antennas are stated as being “pre-SWR’d” but there are too many variables involved for this to be accurate. A SWR meter is one of the best little CB buys you can make – don’t forget to order a short PL259 patch lead as well, which is needed to connect the meter to the radio.

    Reply
  3. 26highstreet
    26highstreet says:

    better off doing your swr on channel 20..
    anything below 3 is fine, i mean i would rather have my rooftop antenna thats 1.7-2.0 swr then my shed mounted one that is 1.3-1.5.
    I also always keep my coax as short as possible and then adjust my antenna accordingly.
    Had that same swr meter bought it from tandy in exeter for £9.99 back in 1994..
    great videos by the way… 73s

    Reply
  6. UKCBTV
    UKCBTV says:

    – most antennas have some sort of telescopic section that allows it to be tuned for SWR. Some have tuning rings (Antron/Solarcon99, Imax and Dial-a-Match for example).

    Reply
  8. UKCBTV
    UKCBTV says:

    – the readings are pretty good anyway, but some improvement may be seen by shortening the length of the antenna a bit (no more than 1/8 of an inch at a time). You’ll probably end up with around 1.6 on Ch1 and 1.6 on Ch40 with Ch20 showing 1:1.

    Reply
  10. pyrofful
    pyrofful says:

    Hi again. Did you ever own an Imax 2000 CB/HAM base antenna? If so do you think it is worth buying? Thanks!

    Reply
  11. UKCBTV
    UKCBTV says:

    – I’m using one using one now, it’s long and floppy, works about the same as a A99 on local contacts and the short summer skip too (300-1500miles), but does work better than the A99 on the long skip and I’ve had contacts over 7000 miles with it this year.

    Reply
  12. pyrofful
    pyrofful says:

    OK because I changed my mine I now want a Imax 2000. Also does it act as a big lightning rod, and cause some problems?

    Reply
  15. UKCBTV
    UKCBTV says:

    No essential but a nice thing to have – to get anything like an accurate result, the power output needs to be measured into a dummy load though.

    Reply

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