Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Meters » Can someone PLEASE EXPLAIN « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker

Post Number: 289
Registered: 8-2005


Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 5:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here is my problem. I have three different meters that give me three different readings on my SWR. When I put them on a Dummy Load I get anywhere from a 1.0:1 to a 1.2:1 reading. So why do they show such a big difference when hooked to the antenna?
I am soooooo lost - AGAIN....

Tim
CEF-634
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 8560
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 5:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sinker,

It is VERY Hard and almost Impossable to get the same reading on 3 different SWR Meters UNLESS you have all 3 calibrated to a known Accurate Meter like a Bird or AUTEK WM-1.

Have you checked all 3 meters using a DUMMY LOAD?

Hope this helps,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wildrat
Intermediate Member
Username: Wildrat

Post Number: 412
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 6:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sinker,
Whenever Iget upand running,if you have not gotten them calibrated,I have an Autek WM-1 if you want to ck them.

Wildrat

Could always hook them up in the mobile and ck themagainst it.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker

Post Number: 290
Registered: 8-2005


Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 6:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They all read very close to the same on the dummy load but big differences on the antenna. I am starting over tomorrow as something is screwy anyway.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2016
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 7:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

that's why i keep the hammer's in the other shed
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker

Post Number: 292
Registered: 8-2005


Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 8:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Patzerozero you aren't just kidding. Tonight if I would have had one or hadn't but the gun in the safe after work I would have smashed or shot the entire station down to every last switch box.

Who knows, still might.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 1018
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 10:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sinker,

Your just trying to hard and getting frustrated.
Been there/done that! Take some time away from
the radios/antennas until you get your head
screwed on tight again.
Make sure the connectors are on correctly at the antenna feedpoint and the radio end. You need to be sure the SWR meter your using is fairly accurate./ In your case you have 3 with different readings, so, i know that's very frustrating. Are these 3 meters remotely close or some way off???
Make sure everything is tight with the gamma match on your antenna./ RE-check everything if possible. I'm sure you will find your problem.
We have faith in you! You did a wonderful job setting that system up and it sounded great!
Hang in there!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kid_vicious
Advanced Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 927
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 11:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

tim, what are the SWR readings that you are getting on each meter when hooked to the antenna?
give the results for ch.1 20 and 40 for each meter.
matt
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote

Post Number: 631
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 10:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sinker,

Take Road's advice. It is best to just leave it and do something else for a little while, and when you least expect it (usually while drive'n somewhere) something will come to you that you hadn't thought of before. When frustration gets the best of you, its best to leave the source alone. When you find the problem, it will probably be something so simple you'll want to use the hammer on yourself.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: