REFLECTOR: Radio weak and scratchy
Dave Philipsen
velocity at davebiz.com
Fri Sep 4 14:47:51 CDT 2009
Rene Dugas wrote:
> Brett,
> Good idea. I'll check.
> I don't know how to use an antennae meter but I'm trainable. Is there
> some other way to check? Could I connect my handheld to the wing antennae
> or will it explode(kidding). Will the hairs on my arm stand up if I stand
> close to the wing while transmitting. Just probing. Not my area of
> expertise. I'm a good crimper though. What does SWR stand for?
> Rene'
>
SWR is 'standing wave ratio'. Basically, it indicates how much of the
radio signal gets reflected back into the radio and/or transmission line
(and never gets transmitted into the air). Technically, most meters
probably read VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) and the idea is to have
as low a number as possible. You probably wouldn't want a VSWR reading
of higher than 2:1 at the center of your broadcast band. The number is
a good indication of how well matched your radio, transmission line, and
antenna are. If there is something wrong with any of these components,
it will usually send the VSWR sky-high.
I own an MFJ antenna analyzer but I don't lend it out other than locally
(BMI).
--
Dave Philipsen
Velocity STD FG
N83DP
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