Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Fredduck on June 25, 2009, 08:03:07 PM

Title: SWR Meter
Post by: Fredduck on June 25, 2009, 08:03:07 PM
Where does a guy buy one?
- or borrow one?
- or rent a guy near AIRDRIE with one that knows how to use it?
 - for a beer or 2?   ;D
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: w squared on June 25, 2009, 08:40:13 PM
I've got one. I'd be happy to help you out.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Fredduck on June 25, 2009, 09:02:49 PM
I've got one. I'd be happy to help you out.

Very cool, thanks.
Do you want to PM me your schedule and we'll work out a time.
I still have to install the radio, but I'm impatient ::)

Did you get that OBA system working?
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: w squared on June 25, 2009, 09:27:34 PM
Very cool, thanks.
Do you want to PM me your schedule and we'll work out a time.
I still have to install the radio, but I'm impatient ::)

Did you get that OBA system working?

Not just yet. I was about to start plumbing in some lines, and then I realized that what would work very well with my hardtop on would be a royal pain in the @r$e with my soft top on. That pointed me back at the proverbial drawing board as to exactly WHERE each part of the system was going to go, and I think that I'm going to wait until after I bedline the cargo area before I get serious.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: S-FLY on June 25, 2009, 10:42:46 PM
I could also use one.  :-[
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: tubby on June 26, 2009, 12:42:28 AM
Try asking Fraserb1986 as he has a SWR meter. He's a good kid who would help other Jeepers.
Good luck Stan and Fred.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Pookapotamus on June 26, 2009, 07:12:27 AM
the flying j has them along with a decent selection of cb stuff.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: w squared on June 26, 2009, 08:53:40 AM
the flying j has them along with a decent selection of cb stuff.

Ahh....but do they have a full-on CB shop?

The Road King (Barlow and Deerfoot) has a CB shop run by a gentleman that will give you sound advice and sell you what you need. I don't claim to be any sort of expert, but I was very happy with the level of knowledge that he displayed when I was there, and have been very happy with the gear he sold me.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Pookapotamus on June 26, 2009, 09:57:08 AM
never been to the road king i will have to cheack it out some time ;)
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: LilRed36 on June 26, 2009, 07:53:48 PM
Dean is one the best guys out this way.  When I ran long haul, there was Dean and then there was Jack back in Cornwall Ontario. between the two my radio was just wicked.  On a perfect night we could talk for a very long distance. Do to certain laws I will not mention anymore. ;D
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Fredduck on June 26, 2009, 08:45:41 PM
Dean is one the best guys out this way.  When I ran long haul, there was Dean and then there was Jack back in Cornwall Ontario. between the two my radio was just wicked.  On a perfect night we could talk for a very long distance. Do to certain laws I will not mention anymore. ;D

BOOTS ON EH? ;D
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: S-FLY on June 29, 2009, 07:17:18 AM
I have tons of cb and amateur radio experience, but I got out of the hobby.  Just don't know where to find this stuff here in Calgary.  I'll go check Road King -- if not, maybe I can meet up with someone who has an SWR meter.  I bought a new K40 and I suspect it needs some tuning.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Elsifer on June 30, 2009, 12:53:18 PM
NTF Communication's, strip mall beside the Husky on 32nd NE. Is a great spot to grab radio equipment. More ham and commercial than CB, but its there.

www.ntfc.com or ca.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: S-FLY on June 30, 2009, 06:47:14 PM
I bought an SWR meter today if anyone downtown needs some help tuning their system.  I got my K40 all tuned up and as soon as I did I started receiving skip from Michigan.  :D
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Fredduck on June 30, 2009, 07:28:28 PM
I too bought a SWR meter/matcher the lady at the road king today.
It's a
I figured I should learn to tune my own antenna/radio.
WELL, thats not going so good. >:(
I think I'm getting it.
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Fredduck on June 30, 2009, 08:29:46 PM
If SWR is higher on 40 than 1, then antenna is too long, if SWR is higher on 1 than 40, then antenna is too short.  Or tune for lowest SWR on the most used frequency(Channel), 10 for club, 9 for emergency, 19 for typical trucker calling blah blah blah :)

In my experience, adding a spring to the mount effectively lengthens the antenna.

I want to carry out some experiments, as I've been taught as a CB person years ago that cable length mattered, as a HAM, I'm taught by the vast majority that it doesn't matter, but then came across a very technical, lucid article that explained that in an IDEAL setup with perfectly matched antenna, coax and transmitter it doesn't matter, but since this is real-world and they seldom perfectly match, it can make a difference (technical details left out).

I plan to do some experiments  ,  with cable lengths to see what I come up with "real-world".
I used a 12 foot cable and a 4 foot 5/8 firestick.
The size of the meter on the unit isn't great.
What difference in SWR between channel 1 and 40  matters?
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: w squared on June 30, 2009, 08:58:26 PM
Using the same antenna (tuned the same) your SWR will be a little bit different on each channel. This is due to the fact that each channel is a different frequency (and thus a different wavelength). As the wavelength changes with respect to the length of the antenna, the SWR will change.

Clear as mud, right?
Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Fredduck on July 01, 2009, 06:33:19 PM
I DID IT...I DID IT...I DID IT

I left home and stayed in a HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS last night,
then I re-read the instructions and tuned my own antenna.

DUB-squared, thats for the offer and all the support.