cb swr meter

it goes 0,1,1.5,2,.3, infitive! so which is then the corresponding lpace on the meter face...?

thanx!

SWR -- Stands for standing wave ratio. The Standing wave ratio is a measurement of forward power vs. reflected power. What happens, when you send a signal through a piece of coax, some of that energy gets reflected back to the radio. If to much power gets reflected back, you run the risk of blowing your finals in your radio.

On most CB SWR meters, there is a knob, and a switch. and on the back, two coax plugs. What you want to do, is plug your SWR meter to your antenna, and then to your radio. Flip the switch to FWD, or forward, key up the transmitter, and using the knob adjust the needle, until it crosses into the infinitive. Then flip the switch to REF, or reflective, key up the mike, and see what the needle says.

A good SWR will fall in the range of 1, to 1.5. That means you have a ratio of 1 to 1, to about 1.5 to 1. If the ratio is over 2 to 1, you are going to have re-tune your setup, or get an antenna trans-match.

I hope this helps.
'73 and have fun.

2007-05-06 13:42:22 by Matt

www.cbradiomagazine.com - Short video on how to use a SWR meter ( Radio Shack 21-534 CB Ham Power SWR Meter ). For anyone using a CB or ham radio ...

I've just tried setting my new rig up and when i go to set the calibration knob on the swr meter to the set position it won't go all the way across. Why? The swr meter works fine when setting up my other rigs, so why don't it work on this one?

First, this is the car audio section...

Second, you may have a bad coax going to one of the antennas or you have blown the finals in the CB.

Get a dummy load (or another coax/antenna) and try again, this will tell whether it's the coax or finals.

2006-11-14 12:06:26 by jbenny1

Meter is for use on CB radio frequencies.
SO-239 UHF connector on each end to connect to radio and antenna.
Measures power 0 -10 or 0 -100 watts.
Jumper cable (3 foot) supplied. Field Strength antenna included.
Metal case is 5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches.

I just bought a SWR meter for my new CB and antenna and i am a little confused with the directions that came with it. It tells me to turn on CB and hold the mic button while i turn the calibrate knob until the needle points to the calibrate mark. OK i got that. Then it says to go to channel 1 and push the mic button to see the SWR reading. Then it says to do the same at channel 40. OK now here are my questions. What channel should i be on when i calibrate? If i start and calibrate on channel 1 do i calibrate again at channel 40 or just take the SWR reading at channel 40 without re-calibrating? To me it seems like i should calibrate somewhere in the middle like channel 20 and then take my readings on channel 1 and 40, but the directions dont specify. CAN YOU HELP?

You do that because ur trying to keep the SWR's as low as possible throughout the range 1 to 40 channels. Adjust antenna's as needed. IM or email for any more Q's related to CB's. I'm an old Radio hand.

Galaxy88 with a 4 pill driving 16,

And depending on what channel you plan on talkin on a lot, Make it 1:1 on that channel. Just remember this, When you switch channels, the swr's could get so high you could blow the finals out of the radio

2006-09-19 22:40:17 by rob

Compact 2-Function Test Meter
Tests for SWR or Relative Power
Clamshell Package
Indicates the Condition of a 50 Ohm Antenna and Coax Used for CB Operation

I just bought a SWR meter for my new CB and antenna and i am a little confused with the directions that came with it. It tells me to turn on CB and hold the mic button while i turn the calibrate knob until the needle points to the calibrate mark. OK i got that. Then it says to go to channel 1 and push the mic button to see the SWR reading. Then it says to do the same at channel 40. OK now here are my questions. What channel should i be on when i calibrate? If i start and calibrate on channel 1 do i calibrate again at channel 40 or just take the SWR reading at channel 40 without re-calibrating? To me it seems like i should calibrate somewhere in the middle like channel 20 and then take my readings on channel 1 and 40, but the directions dont specify. CAN YOU HELP?

you start on channel 1, calibrate so your needle is on 1 when you key up, then you go to 40, do the same. it should be the same on your needle on 40 and 1. you don't do it on the other channels, i don't know why. but i had a guy in coburg oregon show me how years ago, and i've calibrated alot of radios since them. get your swr's right, and your radio will get out/receive like a big dog!!!!
i have a company radio in my truck, a cobra 29soundtracker, with a roadking mic, and i calibrated it myself. and my radio sounds better than these guys with the big peaked and tweaked radios and gets out about 8-12 miles(depending on conditions).
little girl, big truck, big smile!!!!!

2006-09-20 09:55:03 by rob

The length of the CB antenna dictantes the frequency that it works best at. The CB has to be on the same frequency, so it's possible to tune the antenna to match the CB. When you hook up an antenna to a CB, the antenna has a little set-screw on the side that allows you to loosen the antenna and adjust its length.

To do the adjustment, set the CB to channel 19, hook up the antenna, and loosen the set screw. Then press the transmit button and see what the reading is on the meter. lengthen and shorten the antenna, while pressing the transmit button, to see what length antenna gives you the best signal. Once you have the best reading, tighten down the screw and you're done - the antenna is now tuned to your CB.

If it's a hidden antenna where you can't adjust the length, there should still be an adjustment screw on the antenna to tune it. Transmit and and adjust the screw until you get the best reading.

2006-08-27 11:17:06 by AK911dog