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SWR meter

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cecil
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SWR meter

#402858

Post by cecil »

Ive got a para dynamics PDC2 SWR meter. The needle sits above 1, more like 1.15 when off. Is the meter junk or can it be adjusted?
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Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
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304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
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Re: SWR meter

#402859

Post by Gunner357 »

is there a screw below the meter a nylon flat blade screw mine does and i set that everytime i use the meter
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Re: SWR meter

#402860

Post by Gunner357 »

cecil wrote: July 16th, 2020, 7:21 pm Ive got a para dynamics PDC2 SWR meter. The needle sits above 1, more like 1.15 when off. Is the meter junk or can it be adjusted?
I just looked you will probably have to open it up and use a small flat blade most all gauge has a calibrate screw
Yaesu FT920 (KE8PSI)
Galaxy88hl
Galaxy 99v
Cobra148 GTL w/ channel expansion
Cobra 29ltd Chrome
Magnaforce 350
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V58 Maco
Homemade Dipole base antenna
EFHW-8010 Multi-band End Fed Half Wave Antenna
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cecil
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Re: SWR meter

#402866

Post by cecil »

Oh, nice! I'll open it up and check it out. Getting false reading. Hope the meter didn't get dropped somewhere.
Thanks
73's
Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
:chores-chopwood:
304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
Grant LT
2950 RCI
Cobra 148
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Re: SWR meter

#402868

Post by Gunner357 »

cecil wrote: July 17th, 2020, 8:14 pm Oh, nice! I'll open it up and check it out. Getting false reading. Hope the meter didn't get dropped somewhere.
Thanks
My Dosy PM2001TS was acting strange like there was static inside the meter glass and the needle wouldn't Zero I want to get a MFJ259D analyzer .....
Yaesu FT920 (KE8PSI)
Galaxy88hl
Galaxy 99v
Cobra148 GTL w/ channel expansion
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cecil
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Re: SWR meter

#402879

Post by cecil »

Well, i opened it up and turned the screw counterclockwise, gave the needle a little nudge, then snugged the screw down. It was too tight. Took it apart again and loosened the screw. Now it reads where i begun. ??
Another question: can this meter be hooked up all the time or should i disconnect it when using the radio?
73's
Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
:chores-chopwood:
304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
Grant LT
2950 RCI
Cobra 148
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Re: SWR meter

#402880

Post by Gunner357 »

cecil wrote: July 18th, 2020, 8:38 pm Well, i opened it up and turned the screw counterclockwise, gave the needle a little nudge, then snugged the screw down. It was too tight. Took it apart again and loosened the screw. Now it reads where i begun. ??
Another question: can this meter be hooked up all the time or should i disconnect it when using the radio?
I dont see why ya cant my Dosy stays on all the time I do want to get the triple Dosy though so I can see Modulation wats and swr all at the same time
Yaesu FT920 (KE8PSI)
Galaxy88hl
Galaxy 99v
Cobra148 GTL w/ channel expansion
Cobra 29ltd Chrome
Magnaforce 350
Predator 10k
V58 Maco
Homemade Dipole base antenna
EFHW-8010 Multi-band End Fed Half Wave Antenna
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cecil
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Re: SWR meter

#402881

Post by cecil »

Gunner357 wrote: July 17th, 2020, 9:09 pm
cecil wrote: July 17th, 2020, 8:14 pm Oh, nice! I'll open it up and check it out. Getting false reading. Hope the meter didn't get dropped somewhere.
Thanks
My Dosy PM2001TS was acting strange like there was static inside the meter glass and the needle wouldn't Zero I want to get a MFJ259D analyzer .....
Those analyzers are cool, but pricey! Top notch though
73's
Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
:chores-chopwood:
304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
Grant LT
2950 RCI
Cobra 148
User avatar
Gunner357
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Joined: July 5th, 2020, 6:36 pm
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Radio: Yaesu FT920,Galaxy 88hl, Galaxy 99v, Cobra148gtl modded, Cobra 29ltd chrome
Contact:

Re: SWR meter

#402882

Post by Gunner357 »

cecil wrote: July 18th, 2020, 8:42 pm
Gunner357 wrote: July 17th, 2020, 9:09 pm
cecil wrote: July 17th, 2020, 8:14 pm Oh, nice! I'll open it up and check it out. Getting false reading. Hope the meter didn't get dropped somewhere.
Thanks
My Dosy PM2001TS was acting strange like there was static inside the meter glass and the needle wouldn't Zero I want to get a MFJ259D analyzer .....
Those analyzers are cool, but pricey! Top notch though
yup I had a 259 10 years ago and sold it for 175 bux i can kick myself in the a** for doing that
Yaesu FT920 (KE8PSI)
Galaxy88hl
Galaxy 99v
Cobra148 GTL w/ channel expansion
Cobra 29ltd Chrome
Magnaforce 350
Predator 10k
V58 Maco
Homemade Dipole base antenna
EFHW-8010 Multi-band End Fed Half Wave Antenna
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cecil
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Re: SWR meter

#402883

Post by cecil »

Gunner357 wrote: July 18th, 2020, 8:40 pm
cecil wrote: July 18th, 2020, 8:38 pm Well, i opened it up and turned the screw counterclockwise, gave the needle a little nudge, then snugged the screw down. It was too tight. Took it apart again and loosened the screw. Now it reads where i begun. ??
Another question: can this meter be hooked up all the time or should i disconnect it when using the radio?
I dont see why ya cant my Dosy stays on all the time I do want to get the triple Dosy though so I can see Modulation wats and swr all at the same time
That would be the cats meow! Lol
73's
Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
:chores-chopwood:
304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
Grant LT
2950 RCI
Cobra 148
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cecil
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Re: SWR meter

#402884

Post by cecil »

Getting back into radio, but keep i keep finding problems. Now i want to raise my antenna too!
73's
Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
:chores-chopwood:
304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
Grant LT
2950 RCI
Cobra 148
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Gunner357
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Radio: Yaesu FT920,Galaxy 88hl, Galaxy 99v, Cobra148gtl modded, Cobra 29ltd chrome
Contact:

Re: SWR meter

#402885

Post by Gunner357 »

yeah Im in the same boat after 10 years I just made a homemade antenna it works 1:2 match but i need to raise it higher plus I got 3 outa my 4 cbs working so Im still doing the deeds but to cheap to take them to a shop
Yaesu FT920 (KE8PSI)
Galaxy88hl
Galaxy 99v
Cobra148 GTL w/ channel expansion
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Magnaforce 350
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Re: SWR meter

#402913

Post by MDYoungblood »

When I first got into radio I got an SWR meter to adjust my antenna system, just recently sold it here on the forum. Now a days you can't beat a analyzer. I like the dual needle type like a Daiwa or similar, digital is nice too.
I do have meters inline just to watch, if I see something not looking right, stop and check it out.
as far as calibrating some meters, it is best to have something to reference it by, a good 50Ω dummy load is nice to have and I built a 75Ω one as well, 50 gives you a 1:1 reading and 75 is 1.5:1, after you reset the needle your should also check the reading.

3's

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Re: SWR meter

#402914

Post by JimboBowie »

You can leave the SWR meter in line, but everything between your radio and your antenna,including the coax and connectors, adds some loss to your signal and the losses all add up. If you're operating barefoot, the aim would be to minimize losses.
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cecil
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Re: SWR meter

#402920

Post by cecil »

Thanks for the help! I’m trying to better my skills here. Maybe I’ll find someone local who can zero my meter correctly.
73's
Waving from the sugar maples in central MA!
:chores-chopwood:
304 a.k.a Tree Farmer
Grant LT
2950 RCI
Cobra 148
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