Jim,

To measure SWR on the line it is necessary to place the SWR meter at
the antenna end of the line. Even then it gives the correct answer
only when the line impedance is 50 ohms.

But the SWR meter is always placed immediately adjacent to the
transmitter. Whatever the meter indicates it is not SWR because there
is no line on which to measure it. The meter is telling lies.

The meter indicates only whether or not the transmitter is loaded with
a resistance of 50 ohms. Which is ALL you want to know. It tells you
nothing more and nothing less.

This is, of course, a very valuable function of the instrument. But
it is NOT behaving as an SWR meter. Its name should be changed to
Transmitter Loading Indicator (TLI).

To use the name "SWR meter" and to imagine it is actually measuring an
SWR is seriously misleading and is a source of confusion about what is
really going on.

It is why there are perpetual arguments and misunderstandings about
SWR, tuners and related matters on this newsgroup and in every other
place.

Change the name to TLI, which is what it really does. Novices will not
be lead astray, clear thinking will prevail, false ideas will not take
root to remain embedded for the remainder of one's radio career.

Air pressure indicators instead of airspeedometers are OK because air
pressure actually exists.

SWR meters are NOT OK because there is no line for SWR to exist on.
(At least not where the meter is imagined or supposed to measure it.)

Makes a change from cavity magnetrons.
----
Reg.