Fw: [Antennas] SWR Meter

Tue, 1 Oct 2002 14:08:14 -0400

The meter should be labeled as to the frequency ranges and its power
handling capabilities.

Using it outside its stated frequency ranges may be OK, but the readings may
not be accurate.  On the other hand, many meters are not that accurate to
begin with.  However, it still makes the meter good for comparative readings
(is the SWR going up or down with changes to the antenna system).

Meters that have calibration capabilities (i.e.; key down and set cal to the
 'cal' setting on the meter - usually the max reading, unkey, set to measure
 and key down again for SWR reading) can usually be used on higher
 frequencies.  However, watch those power settings....

 Using it outside its power capabilities may smoke the meter and turn it
into a
pile of crispy-critter components!

 Typical meter accuracy is about 10-20% on power.

 If you want a verrrrry accurate meter, buy the like of the 'Bird' brand.
 Verrry expensive.  Available with different screw in 'slugs' for diff freq
 ranges.

 If you are doing 'professional work', they are worth the cost.  I
frequently
 see these sold from $200 to $300 or more USED.  A good idea is to join the
 "ForSale-Swap" list here on qth.net.  Set your email setting to individual
 emails and stay tuned.  These usually go quick once posted.

 If you're only tuning your cousin's CB radio, then  the $20 radio shack
 special should suffice.   It's not difficult to build a power/swr meter.
The circuitry is actually quite simple for meters in the 50-200W range and
plans can be found in ARRLproject books.
However, one of the toughest things to get or build is an
 SWR / Watt meter that's very accurate at very LOW or very HIGH power.  For
 doing work on MURS, GMRS, or HTs, you need a meter that is accurate at just
 a few ( .5 to 5) watts. For broadcast radio work, you need a device capable
 of handling 50,000+ watts.

 73
 Frank

  ._._.
 ----- Original Message -----
 From: "Tom" <[email protected]>
 To: <[email protected]>
 Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2002 1:09 PM
> Subject: [Antennas] SWR Meter
>
>
> > Will any SWR meter work on any frequency or power output?  Or are SWR
> > meters specific to the frequency or power output?
> >
> > Can I use a the same SWR meter to tune a 160m rig and a 2m rig?
> >
> > Thank you.
> >
> > Tom
> > KD5TIE
> >
> > - - -