Contents
Why is a high SWR generally undesirable?
A high SWR indicates poor transmission-line efficiency and reflected energy, which can damage the transmitter and decrease transmitter efficiency. Since SWR commonly refers to the voltage ratio, it is usually known as voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).
Should CB antenna be grounded?
Ground Your Antenna Mount If you’re using a standard CB antenna (i.e., anything except a no ground plane, or NGP, kit), you’ll need to make sure your antenna mount is solidly grounded to the vehicle’s chassis. To ensure a good ground, check that your mount has a direct metal-on-metal connection to your vehicle’s frame.
What does it mean when your SWR reading is high?
Read this article on interpreting SWR readings to learn if your SWR readings are good or indicate a major problem. #2 – Is Your SWR Meter Connected Correctly? One of the most common causes of high SWR readings is incorrectly connecting your SWR meter to your radio and antenna.
What do you need to know about sky high SWR?
To function properly, your antenna mount needs to be grounded to your vehicle’s metallic chassis. Otherwise, you’ll get sky-high SWR! Use this step-by-step guide to ensure that your CB antenna and mount are properly grounded to your vehicle. Another very common mistake is to incorrectly install your antenna stud.
How tall does an antenna have to be to Show SWR?
Plotting SWR over frequency you should be able to determine if the antenna is simply too long or too short. I’d also note that 19 feet up for a 40 meter antenna is not very high. See how antenna height determines the radiation pattern.
Why do I get a high SWR when my antenna is broken?
Broken antenna. If this wire is broken anywhere, you will get a high SWR. To test for this, use a multimeter to check for continuity between the base of the antenna (the threaded part) and the very tip. If the antenna does not have a tunable tip, you may need to use the multimeter probe to reach the end of the wire.