SWR/Power Meter Questions

[Glorfendill]

Well I just got my SWR meter in today, So far it Looks to be in good condition, not even a scratch on the thing anywhere. Only issue is I don't currently have a jumper coax to start testing with and I have a question about that. I keep running into this whole multiple of 3' everywhere when it comes to coax. Is there some reason why coax needs to be run in Sections of 3' feet or would I be ok just getting a 1-2' coax just to be able to run it from the radio to the meter to check SWR. Also I'm considering setting the meter up so I can have a power meter handy and was wondering if doing that would only give me my transmitting power or if it would display receive power too? I'll likely keep it and use a high quality jumper if it does display receiving signal strength, but just go with a less expensive cable jumper and only do occasional checks if only displays transmit power.

[231]

Well I just got my SWR meter in today, So far it Looks to be in good condition, not even a scratch on the thing anywhere. Only issue is I don't currently have a jumper coax to start testing with and I have a question about that. I keep running into this whole multiple of 3' everywhere when it comes to coax. Is there some reason why coax needs to be run in Sections of 3' feet or would I be ok just getting a 1-2' coax just to be able to run it from the radio to the meter to check SWR.

That is typical. Yes you should be able to use shorter, but most folks (myself included) just use a 3'. For me it allows some flexibility. Some might say it has to do with the impedence / wavelength, but I've never noticed any difference one way or another.

Also I'm considering setting the meter up so I can have a power meter handy and was wondering if doing that would only give me my transmitting power or if it would display receive power too? I'll likely keep it and use a high quality jumper if it does display receiving signal strength, but just go with a less expensive cable jumper and only do occasional checks if only displays transmit power.

I typically will use the better quality stuff myself. Whether it's periodic testing or permanentely inline. That isn't a place (IMO) to cut costs...long term anyway. I don't recall ever seeing a meter that had anything to do with receive (short of a standard S-meter) that was inline.

I don't know what specific meter you have, but generally speaking that is my experience.

Hope that helps a little.

[Falkon MX-5]

All I know is that it has too do with how the meter is tuned.

50ohm coax is 50ohm coax, and your impedence should be the same whether it's 1' or 50' not counting electrical losses [not sure what they are through rg58 anyhow] I've noticed it's cheaper to buy a prebuilt jumper than solder your own [friggin $5 just for the pl259 connector]

[jcollins]

what are they made of gold. i get them for
about 1.00 a piece in bulk.
jon :Peace!:

[Falkon MX-5]

I think I need to do that. If I can get Amphenol connectors for that much, SHOW ME.

[jcollins]

i ordered 50 gold Amphenol connectors from
PM for details 50.00 plus shipping.
so say 125 apiece
jon :Peace!:


the more you buy the cheaper they are.

[Glorfendill]

some of us have no reason to pay $50 shipping so we can put connectors on a little SWR Meter Jumper.

[Mississippifrog]

Glorfendill i have a Para Dynamics meter and it only shows transmitted power and SWR's.I like the 3' jumpers because i can move my stuff around freely with out the jumpers pulling tight and putting tension on the connectors.If you have a local CB shop near by,they can make up a jumper the size you need.

Which meter did you get? Was it the RS meter?

[Falkon MX-5]

Cool! I'll have to look at maybe the club doing a group buy on Amphenol connectors and splitting them up.

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Well I just got my SWR meter in today, So far it Looks to be in good condition, not even a scratch on the thing anywhere. Only issue is I don't currently have a jumper coax to start testing with and I have a question about that. I keep running into this whole multiple of 3' everywhere when it comes to coax. Is there some reason why coax needs to be run in Sections of 3' feet or would I be ok just getting a 1-2' coax just to be able to run it from the radio to the meter to check SWR. Also I'm considering setting the meter up so I can have a power meter handy and was wondering if doing that would only give me my transmitting power or if it would display receive power too? I'll likely keep it and use a high quality jumper if it does display receiving signal strength, but just go with a less expensive cable jumper and only do occasional checks if only displays transmit power.

Hi Glorfendill,

A cheap jumper will be OK for a simple SWR check, but every one of my cheap jumpers failed is a fairly short amount of time, and on their way to failure, they created some very frustrating symptoms.

I did not notice what kind of meter that you have. What did you get?
Generally, the fewer parts and pieces that you have between the final output, and the antenna, the better, but it is kinda fun to see the meter swing! I don't know how I didn't wreck while I was doing it. By and by, the novelty of the meter waned, and I'm back to just the coax.
The whole 3', 6', 9' thing has something to do with the CB wavelength or something. I wouldn't worry to much about it at this stage.
I am pretty sure that the meter you probably got, will not show receive signal, but let us know.

[Glorfendill]

Well i have to admit I'm not to sure about how well the power meter works on that Radio Shack model.. It shows the same 5 watts output on my old cobra and my new Galaxy 99v... somehow I doubt that is accurate. I'll get some pictures up and maybe some of you people out there that have the same model can spot something I may be doing wrong.

[Guest]

Well i have to admit I'm not to sure about how well the power meter works on that Radio Shack model.. It shows the same 5 watts output on my old cobra and my new Galaxy 99v... somehow I doubt that is accurate. I'll get some pictures up and maybe some of you people out there that have the same model can spot something I may be doing wrong.

5watts , no way ....is the rf power turned down on the Galaxy radio ?
You should be seeing alot more than 5 wats for sure

[Glorfendill]

nope, all the way up.... i'm sure I've either got something wrong on the meter or the power meter itselfs is just faulty. I'll post pictures later when I get the chance to take them

[Guest]

I have a rat shack meter and it seems to be fairly accurate compared to waht RA saud I should see