SWR question

[Syntax]

I cant get under 2.5 swr using 250 watts is that a big issue?

Thanks

[Plumber-G]

I would try adjusting your antenna, 2.5 SWR might not hurt the radio but your just throwing power away.
What type of antenna do you have?

[jessejamesdallas]

Try moving the antenna to a different location and see if it can be adjusted lower...9 times out of ten, just moving the antenna to a different mounting location will drop SWR...

[MN785]

When you say "while running 250w", does this mean the SWR is lower without the extra power? If so, it is worth noting that many CB amplifiers have poor harmonic filtering and it is possible the amplifier is putting out a little power at 54MHz - something no 11m antenna will accept.

If it is not unique to the amplifier, it could be possible the antenna (on that particular vehicle in that particular spot) is not capable of a perfect match. A ground plane heavily affects the antenna's impedance. This is where an antenna analyzer comes in handy. If you have the ability to measure the complex impedance at the feed point (or at the coax input and also measure the coax's electrical length), I can help you come up with a matching solution.

[MDYoungblood]

Where are you getting the 2.5 reading from, an external SWR meter or the on in the radio? If the reading is good with the amp off then you are probably seeing a CMC (common mode current) affecting the external meter with the amp on. The radio SWR would be just reading the coax between it and the amp with the amp on.

3’s

Greg