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Sg569
Member
Username: Sg569

Post Number: 57
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 11:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I know that too high of a swr is a bad thing, ok.
I was just wondering is, Exactly how low can you get a swr reading? Is a flat 1 the best you can get or can you go lower? Can you actually obtain a NEGATIVE # on swr? Is there a meter that shows that? And just how bad would that be? On my rat shak meter I have calibrated it and tested my match and it below 1, more like the radoi is not keyed, yet it is working, I go to a diff freq. and check again, cal. first, and it sits just below 1. Anybody?????

Thanks,
Walter/ sg569
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Kid_vicious
Intermediate Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 161
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 2:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

it is not theoretically possible to have an swr of less than 1.0 to 1. that would be an electrically perfect impedence match. not really possible here on earth. are you sure you're reading that meter correctly? it should sit right at 0 and when you key the mic in CAL position, it should swing over to the CAL mark. then when the mic is keyed and the meter is in the SWR position it should swing forward just a little bit. the less the better. 1.1 to 1 is just about perfect. 1.2 to 1 is the best you'll usually see in a typical installation. if your needle moves below the 0 mark, then throw it away and buy a NEW one, not a used one from your "buddy". hope this helps.
matt
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce

Post Number: 2122
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 2:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

1 to 1 means 100% of your power is going out if you get negative SWR better check the meter ....
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Sg569
Member
Username: Sg569

Post Number: 59
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bruce and KV,
Thanks for answers I will look into getting a new meter, I have been thinking that this one was shot anyways.

Thanks,
Walter
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Kid_vicious
Intermediate Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 173
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 6:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

there are certain things that i NEVER buy used. meters, amplifiers (unless theyre tube type), and T.P. (LOL!) the things you use to check your equipment against should be in perfect working order.
matt
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Sg569
Member
Username: Sg569

Post Number: 86
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 1:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Made a 3watt dummy load, dead key is 1 watt. Meter reads 1.1:1 w/ dummy load.

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