SWRs

[Trapper444]

Ok, so I have a Pres. McKinley and tunable 5' fire stick.
SWR is 1.2-1.4 barefoot. With 200P on either preamp or TX or both, SWR jumps to 2.4-2.6
What's going on with that?

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[Trapper444]

I can't tune it better than that, running game the legnth of the screw.

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[Trapper444]

I should add I am using the internal SWR tone, graph adjustment in the radio.
Also, I set the Adjustable power on the radio as low as it would go, about 1 Watt.
Thanks in advance.

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[MDYoungblood]

I would adjust the SWR first with the amp out of line and get the antenna to the lowest SWR across the band then put the amp back inline but "turned off" and check and readjust again for the best SWR. When you turn the amp on your SWR meter in the radio is reading all the circuitry in the amp, not the antenna and that is why the mismatch. I would suggest having it check by someone with a good external SWR meter or antenna analyzer. Is everything grounded in the vehicle as well?

3's

Greg

[Trapper444]

Thanks Greg. That makes sense to me. I have a new Astatic SWR meter I will try tomorrow and I will adjust as you suggest.
I have a ground wire from tailgate to a spot on tub where the tire tools are. (JKU). It is 3/8 braided ground wire. I have a 1" x 16" ground strap I want to run in the same place.
I had a 3' fire stick that I swapped into the mix and it was about the same readings.
I think I mentioned it in another thread but the antenna bracket is the one that mounts on the oversized tire carrier on the back and I have a spring on that.

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[Trapper444]

The ground strap is on bare metal, i wire brushed off the paint.

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