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mobile SWR meter suggestions?
I have been using on of the small compact back lite cross needle DAIWA
SWR/power meters, model CN-410M. It is only 3"x3"x4" and can be flush mounted. It appears they are no longer manufactured. Anyone care to suggest a suitable replacement for mobile HF operations? Compact size and flush mounting preferred. Thanks, Greg |
Anyone care to suggest a suitable replacement for mobile HF operations?
Hi Greg, I have never used an in-line SWR meter in my mobile rigs. I did not think it would be helpful. For tuning a HF mobile antenna I use an antenna analyzer. An SWR bridge could be used, but it is not as useful to me because the analyzer gives lots more info. When you are going down the interstate at 75 mph and talking on the radio, the SWR meter will tell you (if you happen to look at it) if something is wrong with the antenna. If you did not have an SWR meter, you would know something is wrong, cause the RX would go deaf, or the TX would fold back (have to look at the TX). Sorry I did not recommend a mobile SWR meter. Just listed the reasons why you could get by without one. 73 Gary N4AST |
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Sorry I did not recommend a mobile SWR meter. Just listed the reasons
why you could get by without one. ..... I couldn't get by without one myself...Who wants to drag an analyser around just to change bands, etc..Besides, I don't own an analyser. I never thought they would be that helpful...:/ Or at least I've never needed one for anything I've ever done... Also, if you are driving down the road, and the antenna leans back and changes the load my radio sees, the SWR meter will tell me at a glance what the match is. You can have a 2:1 SWR or higher, and still not have a "deaf" radio. But thats enough to cause a foldback...How much depends on the rig.. I can tweak the antenna, or matching device very quickly to make sure I get full power out. I couldn't see having to hook an analyser up to do that, while on a trip...But my SWR meter is in the radio. This one reason why I preferred a IC-730 over say a TS-130, back when those were current rigs...I'm so spoiled on having the meter in the rig, I don't think I could go back to not having it...I hate having to drag around an extra box for that...Naturally, my current IC-706 has a meter also.. Icoms have had internal meters since waaaayyyy back...Sure makes things a lot easier...Applies to portable too...As far as the original poster, I don't have a clue, being I don't need one outboard...I'd use almost anything as long as it worked...Even a cheap rat shack model would be fine. But....If he wants to live as I do, he needs a different radio...:-/ On hf, my meter stays on "SWR" all the time. I never look at the power out, or ALC. If I see that meter/bar start swinging over, I know instantly, Houston, we have a problem. But to each his own , I guess.... MK |
On Tue, 08 Feb 2005 11:17:13 -0500, Spam Fighter
wrote: I have been using on of the small compact back lite cross needle DAIWA SWR/power meters, model CN-410M. It is only 3"x3"x4" and can be flush mounted. It appears they are no longer manufactured. Anyone care to suggest a suitable replacement for mobile HF operations? Compact size and flush mounting preferred. Thanks, Greg Diamond Antenna makes a couple of small cross needle meters about 3.5" square, the sx-20c and sx-40c, depending on the frequency range you need. They're listed in the AEA catalog, or you could go to theeir web site, or call 'em.. bob k5qwg |
On Wed, 09 Feb 2005 15:03:11 GMT, Bob Miller
wrote: On Tue, 08 Feb 2005 11:17:13 -0500, Spam Fighter wrote: I have been using on of the small compact back lite cross needle DAIWA SWR/power meters, model CN-410M. It is only 3"x3"x4" and can be flush mounted. It appears they are no longer manufactured. Anyone care to suggest a suitable replacement for mobile HF operations? Compact size and flush mounting preferred. Thanks, Greg Diamond Antenna makes a couple of small cross needle meters about 3.5" square, the sx-20c and sx-40c, depending on the frequency range you need. They're listed in the AEA catalog, or you could go to theeir web site, or call 'em.. (make that AES, not AEA) bob k5qwg |
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