Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: .:.Dingman.:. on September 16, 2009, 08:14:59 PM

Title: cb help
Post by: .:.Dingman.:. on September 16, 2009, 08:14:59 PM

where would I buy a swr meter on the cheap? or can anybody tune my cb (I'm in northeast calgary)

Thanks

Dingman

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: 90YJGIMP on September 16, 2009, 08:17:54 PM

I ordered one from radioworld.ca , about $30.00.

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: .:.Dingman.:. on September 16, 2009, 08:52:32 PM

Perfect so you'll let me borrow it for like 30 minutes for 10 dollars?

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: FiEND on September 17, 2009, 08:24:37 AM

you should still consider buying one, off ebay or wherever.  you should really test your SWR every month or so, especially when wheeling.

cables, connections and antennas get beat up pretty good on the trails and SWR is usually the only way to know things are ok.
if they get broken and you don't test or realise, the radio won't last long.

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: jeeptastic on September 17, 2009, 08:44:51 AM

What does a SWR Meter do?

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: FiEND on September 17, 2009, 08:53:10 AM

it measures the percentage of your radio signal output from the antenna.  if your radio and antenna are not tuned to the vehicle, you will get feedback from the antenna back into the radio.  cb radios are only 4 watts so every percentage helps.

also lots of feedback can shorten the lifespan of the radio.  sometimes drastically.

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm

and the complete FAQ

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: .:.Dingman.:. on September 17, 2009, 11:01:54 AM

Thanks FiEND I guess I'm picking one up soon.

Dingman

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: Elsifer on September 18, 2009, 09:50:15 AM

http://www.ntfc.ca

They are in the NE, by the Husky truck stop on 32nd and Barlow, MFJ-822, 1.8-200 Mhz, like $30 or so. It'll test your CB, and if you get into Amateur Radio, it'll test everything important (nobody uses UHF anyways ;) )

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: S-FLY on September 21, 2009, 07:58:43 AM

I have one but I'm located downtown.

Title: Re: cb help
Post by: .:.Dingman.:. on September 23, 2009, 12:25:06 AM

Thanks fly but I picked one up from vince