1 Answer
How to set SWR readings to my K40 Antenna without a meter
If you have a cobra 29 then you have a meter. There is no way to Tune an antenna without a meter. You need a device that can read the reflect, or Standing Wave Ratio.That is a standing wave of RF energy that instead of leaving the antenna, is going back down the feed line to the radio and in time hurting the radio.
If you have a cobra 29 LTD, it has a build in SWR meter. It is not as accurate as an in line meter, but it will get it close enough not to hurt the radio. Here is how to do it.
Turn on the radio, with the antenna hooked up. Never key with out an antenna hooked up.
Set the switch all the way to the left(S/RF SWR CAL) to CAL. this stands for calibrate.
You will notice there is a knob right next to the channel selector knob marked SWR CAL as well. Start with the knob turned all the way to the left.
Put the radio on Channel 20. This is just about the middle of the band.
Key the radio and hold it. While holding the key on the mic, turn the SWR CAL knob up until the needle on the meter hits the mark "CAL". there is a triangle, and a gap in the line. The needle needs to be at the point of the triangle in the gap.
NOW, while still holding the mic key, flip the switch from CAL to SWR. You should see the needle immediately swing back. What ever the needle is on at this point is your SWR reading. use the set of numbers on the top of the meter, that's for SWR measurement.
If the needle does not swing back, and is in the rad, the antenna is WAY off. There are some reference points on the scale. The first gap in the line is 1.5 SWR. if the needle is there or less that is fine. then you have 2 and 3. 2 is not so great, but not extremely bad, but you should try to get it lower. 3 is really bad. Anything past 3 is considered infinity, and is really really bad.
If its high, then your antenna is either too long or too short. So how do you know which?
Here is how.
Turn to channel one and repeat the SWR process from above. Make note of the reading.
Then turn it to channel 40. Repeat the process again and take note of the reading.
Now, if the SWR is higher on channel 40 then 1, then your antenna is too long and you must shorten it. If the reading is higher on 1 then 40, then your antenna is too short, and you must lengthen it.
Make adjustments in length about an 1/8th inch at a time until you have either the same reading on 1 and 40 or real close, and or the reading on channel 20 is really low.
If you get it so that the reading on 1 and 40 are the same, then the SWR reading on 20 will most likely be almost nothing, unless there is either something wrong with the antenna, coax, or its just a crappy antenna.
K40 should be able to get a nice low SWR.
Apr 04, 2010 |
Cobra 29 LTD CB Radio
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