High SWRs!

[RabidRobert]

Sumpin weird started happening to me yesterday, at least it seemed weird. Up until yesterday, I have had no indications of high SWR, I regularly keep an eye on it with the meter in the radio itself. So I hooked up this new meter (Astatic 600) and all of a sudden I'm getting 3+!!!! Scared me crappless!! Took the meter back out of it, hooked it back up straight, still 3 on the radio meter. Broke everything down to check, only thing I found was the connector on the radio itself was a tad loose. I tightened it up, hooked it all back up, still 3!! This is when I noticed the weird part. When I adjusted the power output on the radio down, the SWRs fell with it! Is this normal? Never noticed it before, I didn't think SWRs were variable! Keep in mind that I had changed nothing prior to all this, antenna still in same place, all lugs tight & coax in good shape & routed in the same place. And the SWR was originally set by the guy at CB City with a machine. (Was that a dummy loader?) I have always had readings of 1.3. Any info will be greatly appreciated!

[231]

Don't know any history of your stuff, what antenna system are you referring to? Mobile, base? Antenna type and coax would be helpful, too. I'd never trust a radio meter 100%...but they are usually close. How long has your coax and antenna been installed? What kind of condition is the jumper coax in and type (i.e. RG8x, RG8U, RG231, etc.)?

Not quite enough info' IMO. Could be something as simple as corrosion on the center lead of the coax...could be something else.

[RabidRobert]

I guess I found the problem! The antenna is a Wilson 1000 mag, the coax on said antenna is RG 58 A/U. I was using a 3' RX8 jumper. I tried a 18' RG 58 that I had from an old setup, and it went back to normal, about 1.5. So I'm guessing it was the coax difference! Also, I didn't think about the fact that when I change the power level that I need to reset the "SET" position on the new meter! Thanks for replying tho, I'm gonna keep an eye on it & learn how to use that meter correctly! LOL

[Guest]

:lmao:

[jessejamesdallas]

Sounds a little like a problem Im having with my set-up in my work van.

I have a Uniden 78 Elite in the van, with a X80 amp. Got a Megaforce 350 recently and hooked it up, and swr according to the radios meter went thru the roof! Also however. My mfj is showing 1.0 swr...

Now normaly I dont go by what the radios meter is showing, but I hooked up my Dosy meter in line, and it's showing a 1.4 to 1.5 swr....

OK, mfj and Dosy sounds OK...BUT! When keyed, the antenna warning light comes on, and then the radio will shut down. (not off, just wont let ya talk)...So this lead's me to believe the radios meter is close to right.

Changed the jumers, and no change....Megaforce amp seems to be working ok, will swing to close to 400w's before everything shuts down.
Warning light only comes on after you have keyed the mic for a few minutes...like after the amp has warmed-up some...Thinking maybe the amp needs some tuning maybe.