How to Use an SWR Meter

I will show you how to calibrate and use a simple SWR meter. Great information for new HAMs who are trying to learn the basics.
NOTE: I forgot to mention, you will need a 50 ohm 'dummy load' in order to properly calibrate your SWR meter. This dummy load is our reference point for the 50 ohm impedance required by most radios.

[JuggernautJo]

I bought this exact meter a year ago and never figured out how to use it because I lost the antenna it came with (just like you did apparently lol) and I assumed that it was important for the meters basic usage when everything was hooked up. Thanks for the video. I'm new to HAM And CB and installing my Tram ground plane Discone antenna and hooking it up to my new Pres Lincoln II plus. This meter will come in handy when trying to figure out if my system is working properly. Especially now that I know how to use it. Again thanks!

[henry]

I'm getting back into Ham radio after a decades long hiatus. I forgot how to use my (now vintage) Vanco SWR-2... found this video for a refresher... great instructions. I had to laugh, when he said he misplaced his field strength antenna. I misplaced mine too.... 20+ years ago, and still haven't found it. I hope he had better luck finding his.. LOL

[DBTNVideo]

Thanks for the tutorial. Much better than the instructions that came with the meter. I got to 1.5 before i ran out of adjustment on my car roof top antenna. I discovered that where i put the magnetic antenna on the roof made a serious difference in the swr. Much better in the middle. Much appreciated.

[WillieJu]

I recently bought this exact same meter, but I was under the impression (based on the ebay seller description) that it does up to 30Mhz, and hence why I bought it for checking my CB antennas. Now I see it also does the VHF (2m) band. I am happy now.

[lickdacat]

GREAT SIMPLE EXPLANATION.
MANY OTHERS TRY TO COMPLICATE THINGS.
THIS MAKES IT ALL SO VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

[hansenhansen]

Great Straight Forward and to the point. 👍

[clake]

This video helped a lot, thank you for that, I finally understood it correctly.

[paulm]

Thanks, that helps me out. new to HAM here

[MultiRedneck]

Thanks for the help. Just bought this same meter

[modex]

Why are there SWR markings on the left window as well? They must reuse these for different models.

[micjam]

My cb radio.ha a R.F. power knob. Wondering where to set that during the SWR testing?

[howardmiller]

I bought one of these meters and wish it came with a short jumper coax to connect the meter with the radio

[johnroberts]

What's the small antenna that screws into the left side and what purpose does it serve? Is it necessary? I'm amazed at how many of my cheap antennas measure over 3.5! They measure virtually the same length as my Nagoyas and seem to be made of the same of the same material, yet they measure so radically different on the meter! One antenna that consistently measures 👍 is the Retevis 20W. It's made of extremely good materials and does well in both UHF and VHF. I'd take them over a Nagoya any time, any place. I was terrified the readings were going to be horrible. I do love b, but imagine my joy at seeing these antennas consistently pulling in great numbers. The Retevis 10W, on the other hand, consistently raked in 3.5, and Tidradio 15-inchers clocked in just under 2.0. I'd trade my Nagoya.NA-771s for Retevis 20W antennas any day, but I love the 24J and Signal Stick antennas. But I'm stuck with the damn 10W Retevis antennas.

Go buy some Retevis 20W antennas from Amazon and let me know what you think!

[jacksonwilson]

Where do I get the cable or this meter to connect to my walkie talkie to check the power

[BlackHamRadioUniversity]

I do not have an external SWR meter such as you do in this video. I just rely on my internal SWR meter on the the radio however I do have a question about my analog meter on my radio. I have the IC-7300. This IC-7300 has an analog meter. When I set my IC-7300 to 100 watts and key up my mic the forward power is suppose to show 100 watts of forward power being put out however my analog meter shows only 35 watts of forward power being put out. What do you think could be causing such a huge discrepancy between the 100 watts the IC-7300 is set to and and the actual amount of forward power (35watts) that is being put out?

[darrinlong]

i have a Surecom SW 114 different name but same meter

[kuyangpogi]

73s sir! Is this can be use in VHF 2 METER RADIO?? 144mhz... Ty

[JohnnyRebKy]

Do you set dead key by the PEP power mode or Average power??

[Ianistrip]

nice video for explain how to...
a question about-how does it works as RF Field Strength Test Meter,
when we will conect the small antena in the left side screw-terminal ??
any info-help about, it is wellcomed..thanks

[Gator]

I just bought one of these and I have feeling that it is giving too low of a swr reading !! I've trie three other meters and they all read higher