On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:55:23 GMT, "tom" wrote:

Thanks, that's usefull info --- but what about the swr issue? If a half
wave dipole is tuned to a certain frequency and has an swr of 1.05, say, for
the swr to rise to 2 (at VHF wavelengths) you have to go roughly 6mhz up or
5mhz down from that tuned frequency. The 2m band is only 4mhz wide in
total, anyway, so if you measure carefully, are you risking damage to the
rig (also assuming the rig has no swr protective circuitry) if you don't
check the swr with a swr meter? I don't have one, that's why I'm asking.

I wouldn't worry about an SWR of 2.0. You could always buy an SWR
meter. They aren't very expensive. Without one you are just going to
be flying blind. Many things can affect SWR besides the antenna
length. Are you sure your radio doesn't have SWR protection? Most
do. What is the make and model?

Dick

I haven't bought it yet --- it'll be a IC-2200H. They (swr meters) might
not cost much, but it's more than I'll have. I just went through a $300
nightmare with a used Yaesu VX5 that supposedly worked perfectly untill 4
days afetr I got it when the Tx final just overheated and crapped out. So
the all the money I spent on 7-10amp ps is basically wasted too. So, please
don't recommend buying anything used because I just want to get on-air, and
I only have another $400 or so and I want to make sure I can do it with
that. If I have to wait anothe rmonth to get stuff like an swr meter, fine.

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 16:39:22 GMT, "tom" wrote:

I haven't bought it yet --- it'll be a IC-2200H. They (swr meters) might
not cost much, but it's more than I'll have. I just went through a $300
nightmare with a used Yaesu VX5 that supposedly worked perfectly untill 4
days afetr I got it when the Tx final just overheated and crapped out. So
the all the money I spent on 7-10amp ps is basically wasted too. So, please
don't recommend buying anything used because I just want to get on-air, and
I only have another $400 or so and I want to make sure I can do it with
that. If I have to wait anothe rmonth to get stuff like an swr meter, fine.


The Icom IC-2200H most definitely has SWR protection. That radio is
only $230 from places like HRO. If you have $400 to spend, you should
have plenty to get on the air.

I forgot to mention that's in canadian..

--
73
Tom H
VA7FAB