How to Use an SWR Meter: standing wave ratio meter - guidelines & tips

Standing wave ratio can be very important when using a transmitter. If the level of standing waves is too high then it can either damage the transmitter or transceiver output, or cause it to reduce its power. So measuring the SWR is important. Knowing how to use an SWR meter and connect it up can be vital and it is described in this video along with some key hints and tips on how to use the SWR meter and gat the best from it.

SWR bridges or SWR meters come in many forms. They don’t have to cost too much, although higher price ones do give better performance and they can measure more parameters like power levels.

The video describes how to connect the SWR meter into the feeder and then how to use it making sure that no undue interference is caused.

The video also describes the various points where SWR meters can be sued and their advantages and disadvantages. It also describes how to use the SWR meter when an ATU is present.

Another interesting points is the feeder loss and know how this affects the SWR readings. High feeder loss can make an antenna with a high SWR look much better, so it gives guidance on this. The video also gives a few useful bonus tips on how to use the SWR meter as well.

[ikesteroma]

Thanks from the other side of the pond. This video is exactly what I was looking for.

[williamj.sheehan]

So to clarify, right before you move the switch from FWD to REF, do you "un-key" the mic, and then "re-key" it once you've moved the switch to REF? Or do you keep the mic keyed continuously during the switching? Or, does it matter one way or the other?

[PatnaikUC]

Can we modify it to work at around 100MHz?

[davidcooke]

Hi can you advise me please my swr meter is going into the red high swr but the swr meter on the radio is reading just over 1. I think my meter might be ify I have had it for years. Regards

[tglenn]

I wish you'd talked more about the cross-needle type meter.

[joaquintall]

Hello! The rear of my meter does not have "ant" and "trans". Mine says "in" and "out". I am unsure which connection is for the antenna and which one is for thew transmitter? Can you help? Thx!

[joe]

I am getting an swr for my tube sonar sf-23 radio Does anyone know which one I should get?

[apnewz]

Excellent explanation, Thanks for the nice upload, Regards from VU2XFD, #Ascertain

[norman]

I have a question!! I have a
Selfix no.6702 swr/power meter.
The stickers on the back of the unit
came off and I don't know which
connector is for the antenna and
which one is for the radio!! I don't
want to damage my radio or the
swr meter. Is there any way to
tell which connector is which?
PLEASE HELP!! Thanking you
in advance, Norman.

[backyardbasher]

This is an excellent guide on how to use a SWR meter designed for 25-30mhz on 20 meters,
being as the generated frequency is so far out of the meters designed operating range I
would trust the readings as much as i would trust a chocolate teapot.
For any new person getting in to Amatuer Radio make sure the SWR meter covers the bands
you want to use it on.

[itrstt]

if you dont have a reverse switch can you swap the antenna with the transmiter?

[Crlpope]

My SWR meter is built into the CB how do you use the cal. to find the SWR I have been out of cb many years late 60s and don't remember much about "how to " anything.

[kevinbreaux]

My meter won't zero. It swings right in forward and I can calibrate it. When I switch to reflected it stays at 1.3.

[barteksurowiec]

And what about the SWR scale in older rigs like Icom 735? Is it a reliable way to measure or should I get a proper SWR meter anyway? I’m a newbie :)

[Rxman]

does having a good SWR significantly affect reception as much as it does transmission?

[jake]

What one would be good for Alinco DX 10 ?

[adonikam]

Wow EXCELLENT VIDEO, I subscribed! Yes I admit that I'm a long time CB guy. But this was very important and thorough! Thanks from the U.S. God Bless..

[rhodesj]

What's the proper way to set the swr for a dual antenna set up? Removing one from the system at a time and calibrating the remaining one or leave them both hooked up and try to balance both at the same time? Thank you.

[MrSIZEMIK]

Cos my field is in computers and being a semi-pro, i have some idea, , your wondering, what the hell is an SWR, SWR stands for "Standing Wave Ratio", the transmitting signal travels along the antenna (FORWARD) and refects at the end, returning down the antenna (REFECTED), the forward signal interferes with the reflected signal causing constructive or deconstructive interference, differant lengths create differant phases along the antenna, when a peek meets a peek there is max emission, and when a peek meets a trough there is zero emission, an SWR ratio of 1:1 is perfect constructive interference, where the cycle appears STATIONARY on the antenna, creating a perfect waxing and waning electo-magnetic field, as the electric field collapses, the magnetic field increases and vice versa, , , Without that load absorbing energy, the energy instead appears as a high voltage or high current somewhere which may not be equipped to handle it, ,

So basically, an ideal 1:1 SWR will produce a low 50ohm resistance match where the antenna does work, the SWR is relatively constant along the feedline, the impedance will vary along the line unless it is perfectly terminated (that is, the SWR is 1.0 : 1). This is an important concept for impedance matching, because with a high SWR, the impedance at the final output transistor load inductor could be lower than 50 ohms, and produce a high current that damages the finals, , ,

PS - a 1:1.5 SWR = just a 4% loss \ a 1:2 = 11% loss \ and a 1:3 = 25% loss

[DE-ivif]

A bit funny SWR-Meter for the Examples / Frequencies used in this Video. 05:40 It says, it is for 25 - 30 MHz.