Thanks Reg. I only presumed that if my standing wave back at the transmitter
was a good balance therefore best output from the antenna was possible. I
did think that implies that even considering the somewhat long run to the
balun, that reflected power was at a mimimum possible level because a
resonant antenna condition (or as close as I was able to estimate) existed.
Each time that meter readings were taken was after the whole antenna(s) were
raised back up in the air, then lower to trim, raise and measure, etc.
Starting with about 10% beyond formula length, it noetheless had to have
some material added to one antenna and trimmed from another. From what I
have learned from you guys, I attribute this to the varying and unique
ground absorbtion variables of my particular installation. The help provided
on this list is invaluable. Many thanks.

73's

Jack
Virginia Beach


"Reg Edwards" wrote in message
...
Jack, I think you know what you are about. But you may be doing the right
things for the wrong reasons.

The ONE and ONLY purpose of the SWR meter is to facilitate the
antenna-plus-line (plus tuner if you use one) to be adjusted such that the
transmitter is loaded with its design impedance of 50 ohms, plus or minus
20
percent or thereabouts.

What the SWR on the line may be is not relevant. It can be anything you
like! It doesn't matter insofar as the adjusting process itself is
concerned. And it is not of great consequence anyway.

The meter, Bird or MFJ or otherwise, does NOT indicate SWR on the
feedline.
This is a popular misconception - a very old Old Wives' tale. It merely
indicates whether or not the impedance looking into the transmitter end of
the line is 50 ohms or is not 50 ohms. If it is not 50 ohms it won't even
tell you what it actually is.

So after adjusting line input impedance to be 50 ohms by some means or
other, you may be quite happy to retire under the impression the SWR is a
nice 1-to-1 and the antenna input impedance is what you think it is.
Whereas
it very likely isn't.

But you will have achieved the true objective - the transmitter will be
correctly loaded with 50 ohms within plus or minus 20 percent even after
taking so-called SWR meter uncertainty into account.
----
Happy adjusting, Reg, G4FGQ