Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: DocNasty on May 29, 2013, 06:34:14 PM

Title: SWR Meter
Post by: DocNasty on May 29, 2013, 06:34:14 PM

Hey guys, I have been trying to get the basics in on the rig since I have been back which has proven to be a mission. Mostly because the time not consumed by work is done by the baby. But anyway I finally got my CB radio / speaker installed as well as the PA for fun. I went with the firestik tunable antenna as most have and need to get myself a SWR meter, is there any difference in these things? Can I get away with buying the cheapest one on amazon or do I need something specific ?

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: RBduffer on May 29, 2013, 10:26:10 PM

Hey Doc,
I have 3 Ham radios and a CB and have yet to buy an SWR meter.  The first posted trail that you run, just ask someone to kindly bring thiers.  I'll bet at least one person will offer to help you out 8)  The comms do make the trail lots more fun and a little safer.
See ya out there.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: knightrider on May 29, 2013, 11:00:32 PM

yea its not worth it to buy one, half of us own one and its mostly a one time deal. i own one just because i installed a bunch of cb's for my friends. we tuned christians on the mojave trail, it takes all of 5 mins.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: SteeevO on May 30, 2013, 12:38:58 AM

I've been a ham for many years and I ended up getting one years ago.
But if radio isn't something you play with often then it's best to just borrow one like mentioned above.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: DocNasty on May 30, 2013, 05:03:21 AM

Right on you guys just saved me 20 bones. Thanks haha.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: SuperSlideStyle on June 10, 2013, 12:26:07 PM

Although, thinking long term, its not bad idea to own one now, especially if you have the money earmarked for.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: DocNasty on June 10, 2013, 06:09:59 PM

I ended up borrowing El Toros..  Hooked it up, figured out how to get a reading and im over 3.... and not sure how to get it to come down now... so I think I need to go back to the drawing board to try to figure out whats going on....

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Adio. on June 10, 2013, 06:19:50 PM

Hey doc check out my thread with the same question! Might not be the same exact problem as yours, but there's some pretty useful info in there.

http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,1942.msg21725.html#new

Title: Re: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: knightrider on June 10, 2013, 07:50:38 PM

If you could doc, post up a couple pictures of your setup. What antenna did you install? Mount?

Sent using Al Gore's internet

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: DocNasty on June 10, 2013, 09:58:49 PM

Adio, thank you for that link! My setup looks identical to yours! I am betting that my white plastic washer is on the bottom as well. I will try to switch that tomorrow to see if that does the trick. If not.... Ill post pics haha.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Toro on June 11, 2013, 07:34:27 PM

Remember what I said...try it without the spring base.

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: Noj858 on July 10, 2013, 10:41:20 PM

Anyone in the SD area that has an SWR and can help me tune my radio?

Title: Re: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: knightrider on July 11, 2013, 12:06:32 AM

Where in SD are you?  I've got a meter.

Not sent with the stupid auto guide app

Title: Re: SWR Meter
Post by: DocNasty on July 11, 2013, 07:44:06 AM

I live up in Oceanside and I still have the swr meter that Toro let me borrow, however I am not the best with tuning.