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I'm trying to check my SWR using a Vanco SWR-1, but I'm a bit confused.
The manual states to
1. Connect antenna and transmitter to SWR meter
2. Set the switch to FWD and rotate the adjusting knob fully counter-clockwise
3. Transmit the radio and rotate the knob for "full meter swing"
4. Switch to REF to measure SWR
I'm assuming "full meter swing" means the red "SET" and infiniti on the meter. Does this sound right?
The meter looks similar to the attached image. Thanks.
If my assumptions above are correct my SWRs are as follows:
Ch 1 - 2.0
Ch 9 - 1.7
Ch 19 - 1.7
Ch 30 - 2.0
Ch 40 - 2.5
Any need to trim or replace the antenna?
Antenna is too long. Above 2.0 is too much, everything should be 1.5 or less, 1:1 is ideal.
I got one of those meters it's so easy to use, right now you are in no danger of frying your CB, but I would get those numbers down since like yesterday big time.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUser
Easiest way is to calibrate CH.20 so do the 'fwd' button then go to CH.1 and switch the button to the 'ref' and get your reading there then go to CH.40 and get your reading there, but always look at CH.20 and see what your 'ref' is on that channel, the lower the better.
What kind of antenna you got and were are you mounting it, a lot of times bad readings equal not enough ground.
Little Wil on my trunk. Also got the same readings when I threw it on the roof.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
Try to go to a place where you have not too much interference empty parking lot, no trees, keep away from power lines, etc... with the antenna and see how that works, because I own a lil wil with a Uniden 520xl and I get 1.4 on both channels, but it does take some time just don't get frustrated, I would advice within time to invest in another antenna if you want to sound big and get further, but if that doesn't matter to you then you will be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUserLittle Wil on my trunk. Also got the same readings when I threw it on the roof.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
By your readings your antenna is too long, but don't start to trim the antenna yet, move your antenna to different places on your trunk, trust me you can place your antenna at the dead center of your trunk and get a high reading, but if you move it to the left or right your readings go down, don't ask me, but this happens a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUser
Whatever you do, do not got to a CB shop, because they will rip you off big time, meet with a trucker or with somebody you know who has experience, because a lot of CB shops will rip you off and I had to learn the hard way and when CB shops see you as new bait baam easy money, do it yourself and just be patient and see how your numbers do.
I have a toyota corolla and put the lil wil on my trunk and I can get a 1.4, but I did have to cut the lil wil just a bit, but it worked, the lil wil is not designed to reach far unless there is a skip going around, but it will do it's job if that is what you want it to do.
Also having your radio peaked and tuned will help a slight bit, what kind of radio you have.
I moved it all over the top of the car and the trunk. The readings above were the best I could manage. I did notice that they seemed to get worse when I placed it in the middle of the roofline. Go figure. I've read the Little Wils tend to be long. Some people have needed to trim 1.5" to get SWRs below 1.5.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
Midland 75-822. Don't think it's tunable since it's so compact.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
I think I'm gonna return the Little Wil and go for an Antenex/Laird 2700 with an NMO trunk lip mount. I don't like the HUGE base of the Little Wil. A NMO trunk lip mount should help with grounding too.
Well if you travel a lot and stay in one car then a trunk lip mount will be good, but as for me I rent cars so I have to have a portable mag mount antenna, the lil wil can look bulky when you first buy it, but after a while it doesn't you just have to get used to it, especially when you start to use the tri-mag mount with the 102' that lil will looks like a penny compared to that set up and I only use the big set up when I travel to a different state, but when I travel locally I mount the lil wil and I will also soon explore with different antennas that have been recommended I will post those reviews at a later time.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUserI moved it all over the top of the car and the trunk. The readings above were the best I could manage. I did notice that they seemed to get worse when I placed it in the middle of the roofline. Go figure. I've read the Little Wils tend to be long. Some people have needed to trim 1.5" to get SWRs below 1.5.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
Midland 75-822. Don't think it's tunable since it's so compact.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
I think I'm gonna return the Little Wil and go for an Antenex/Laird 2700 with an NMO trunk lip mount. I don't like the HUGE base of the Little Wil. A NMO trunk lip mount should help with grounding too.
Ditto do this in the open also make sure to NOT coil up any extra antenna wire.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
I finally got a 1:1 but it took time.
I am using a lip mount and have a fiberglass trunk deck so it was harder to do.
Note: I do not have the lil wii
Your radio can be tuned.
The little wil is a good antenna, the Antenex CB27 (larid brand NMO mount) is a great antenna. I've used and still own both. Additionally, while the little wil looks like a CB antenna the CB27 really doesn't stand out, so it's a lot less conspicuous.
Wait what? So you're saying I have toQuote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
1. CB - Turn to Ch 20
2. SWR Meter - Set switch to FWD
3. CB - Press and hold Transmit button
4. SWR Meter - Adjust knob until meter is at the "SET" and "∞"
5. SWR Meter - Set switch to REF
6. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
7. CB - Switch to Ch 1
8. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
9. CB - Switch to Ch 40
10. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
11. CB - Release Transmit button
:confused:
No no, the above can't be right:Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUserWait what? So you're saying I have toQuote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
1. CB - Turn to Ch 20
2. SWR Meter - Set switch to FWD
3. CB - Press and hold Transmit button
4. SWR Meter - Adjust knob until meter is at the "SET" and "∞"
5. SWR Meter - Set switch to REF
6. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
7. CB - Switch to Ch 1
8. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
9. CB - Switch to Ch 40
10. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
11. CB - Release Transmit button
:confused:
Procedure for setting CB antennas
On Step 8, what is the "set" position? My guess is it's the "SET" and "∞" on the far right side of the meter face. Is this correct?Quote:
5. Turn on the CB.
6. Set the CB to Channel 1.
7. Set the SWR meter to the FWD position.
8. Key microphone and turn knob until the SWR meter indicates the "set" position. Un-key microphone.
9. Flip SWR meter to the Reflect position.
10. Key microphone and look at the reading on the SWR meter. The lower the reading, the better. If the meter shows in red DO NOT operate CB. Re-check your connections.
11. Turn CB to channel 40. Follow instructions 7-10 again.
You calibrate on CH.20, you only then you switch to ref when you go to CH.1 and CH.40 to get your readings you can also do REF on CH.20 if you want, but you are trying to get CH.1 and CH.40 as low as you can those are the readings that will tell you if your too long or short.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUserWait what? So you're saying I have toQuote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
1. CB - Turn to Ch 20
2. SWR Meter - Set switch to FWD
3. CB - Press and hold Transmit button
4. SWR Meter - Adjust knob until meter is at the "SET" and "∞"
5. SWR Meter - Set switch to REF
6. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
7. CB - Switch to Ch 1
8. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
9. CB - Switch to Ch 40
10. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
11. CB - Release Transmit button
:confused:
You will only do the FWD on CH.20 and get it lined up with that weird sideway 8, and before you go to CH.1 switch to REF and get your reading there and then go to CH.40 and get your reading there as well on the REF.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUserNo no, the above can't be right:Quote:
Originally Posted by WhistlerUserWait what? So you're saying I have toQuote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker
1. CB - Turn to Ch 20
2. SWR Meter - Set switch to FWD
3. CB - Press and hold Transmit button
4. SWR Meter - Adjust knob until meter is at the "SET" and "∞"
5. SWR Meter - Set switch to REF
6. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
7. CB - Switch to Ch 1
8. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
9. CB - Switch to Ch 40
10. SWR Meter - Record meter reading
11. CB - Release Transmit button
:confused:
Procedure for setting CB antennas
On Step 8, what is the "set" position? My guess is it's the "SET" and "∞" on the far right side of the meter face. Is this correct?Quote:
5. Turn on the CB.
6. Set the CB to Channel 1.
7. Set the SWR meter to the FWD position.
8. Key microphone and turn knob until the SWR meter indicates the "set" position. Un-key microphone.
9. Flip SWR meter to the Reflect position.
10. Key microphone and look at the reading on the SWR meter. The lower the reading, the better. If the meter shows in red DO NOT operate CB. Re-check your connections.
11. Turn CB to channel 40. Follow instructions 7-10 again.
If you move your antenna to a different place then you go to CH.20 FWD and line up with the weird symbol then you go to REF on CH.1 and CH.40.
It's not hard you will get it.
This might help.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRWKZskxcs0]YouTube - How to use a SWR meter - CBradiomagazine.com[/ame]
It is worth noting that while your method will work, it may not be the most accurate on some radios. Setting the FWD CAL on only channel 20, then checking REF on 1 and 40 will work - with the assumption that your radio outputs exactly the same power level on channels 1, 20, and 40. Some will, but I know that both my base and mobile radios have slightly different output power levels at different channels. Ideally, you do need to re-check the FWD on each of the three channels to make sure it still lines up with the "set" line before changing to the REF setting.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulSeeker