How does a "cross needle" swr work?
 

I just bought one that measures forward and reflected power and at the
bottom is the swr calculation.

Is the antenna's swr where the two needles meet?

Also the switch on it for 2 meters says "144 mhz" So I should tune my
radio to this when tuning? What if I want my antenna tuned for 146 mhz.

It is an MFJ unit. Yes I did read the instructions but they left alot
to be desired for a first timer.

wrote in message
ps.com...
I just bought one that measures forward and reflected power and at the
bottom is the swr calculation.

Is the antenna's swr where the two needles meet?

yes, look behind where the needles cross and there should be a set of lines
calibrated in swr.


Also the switch on it for 2 meters says "144 mhz" So I should tune my
radio to this when tuning? What if I want my antenna tuned for 146 mhz.

no, you set your radio for whatever frequency you want to operate on and
check the swr there. they label it 144mhz just to say what band it can
handle.


It is an MFJ unit. Yes I did read the instructions but they left alot
to be desired for a first timer.

wrote:
Is the antenna's swr where the two needles meet?

That's usually the case for MFJ cross-needle stuff. The
somewhat red vertical lines on my MFJ-949E indicate SWR
where the forward and reflected needles cross.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp


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On 24 Jan 2005 05:29:12 -0800, wrote:

I just bought one that measures forward and reflected power and at the
bottom is the swr calculation.

Is the antenna's swr where the two needles meet?

Also the switch on it for 2 meters says "144 mhz" So I should tune my
radio to this when tuning? What if I want my antenna tuned for 146 mhz.

It is an MFJ unit. Yes I did read the instructions but they left alot
to be desired for a first timer.

The whole idea is to tune your antenna so the Forward needle moves as
much as possible, while the Reverse needle moves as little as
possible, or not at all :-)

THe manual for your rig should tell you how much SWR it can safely
handle. A little doesn't hurt, but too much can harm the finals.

Bob
k5qwg

I don't mean to be picky here, but didn't you learn this kind of thing in
your training for the licence and exams.