Thread: my SWR reading
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Old October 25th 07, 12:27 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Denny Denny is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jul 2006
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Default my SWR reading



2:1 isn't bad, but you're probably not getting full power output if
your rig is solid state.


=================================
When SWR is 2:1 the reflected power is only 11% of the tx output power,
which will hardly be noticeable at the receiving end .
But a low SWR will make the solid state PA of your radio feel happier !

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH


Frank, I know that you know this, but I want to comment to the
group...
Assuming the transmitter does not fold back, the 11% reflected power
will not change the signal strength... The reflected 11% will be 88%
radiated on the return trip (minus any line losses) and 88% of that on
the next round trip, etc... So, in the end the decrease in
transmitted power is only a fraction of 1% for feedlines with low
losses to start with... W2DU's very readable book REFLECTIONS, would
be a good place to start for those who are a bit hazy on transmission
lines, reflections, conjugate mirrors, etc....

Now, if we take transmitter foldback into consideration, we will need
a lot of information about the various rigs before we can even begin
to discuss how much a 2:1 SWR will change radiated power...
Personally, for a situation where there is SWR on the line, I prefer a
DX100B - it's pi-net could not care less and will still put out full
power into 2 or 3 to 1... As well as some more modern rigs such as
TS-830, etc... Tubes have a lot going for them... The Omni series of
solid state rigs from Ten Tec also do not fold back under 2:1, though
3:1 does have some effect...

cheers ... denny / k8do