How to Read Crossed-Needle SWR/Watt Meters (
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- Опубліковано 29 жов 2020
- Let's look at those ubiquitous cross-needle SWR/watt meters and see how to read them. I use a Palstar WM-150M as an example, but the method works for all cross-needle meters.
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THANK YOU for your Crystal clear Video! I had a respected "Elmer" tell me that SWR was NOT where the Needles cross! Thanks, again for this!!
Yet again you're a national treasure, Dave. I was able to borrow a portable tuner from my club, but I had no idea how to use it.
Thank you. I just bought my first crossed-needle meter and now I know how to read it. Best wishes from New Zealand.
One additional tip, with the frequency you're planning on operating, switch to CW (preferably at reduced power) or AM, move 4 to 5 khz away. Transmit and tune accordingly for lowest SWR. Never try to tune with SSB.
The interesting thing about SWR is it doesn't really change with increased power. It's just more apparent and easier to read.
Thanks Dave.
Hi thank god some one said it ,,,hahaha
Found this very informative as a old new ham, thank you.
Nice. I have just acquired mfj 949e antenna tuner with a cross needle meter. The first one in my life. So thanks for everything.
Thank you for your explanation. This is the type of video I have been looking for.
Thank you for explaining this better. You were a big help. 👍
Thank you Dave for all your effort to help educate me. Really appreciate this. 73
Happy Friday Dave. Thanks ! Another great video.
Fantastic presentation!!!!!!! I love them all. Thank you so much, David. Such a big help. Seven Three!
As always, you explain things that even I can understand. Thanks.
Thanks Dave. Great video for us newbies. Very helpful
Always informative. Thank you again
Thank you for this episode!!
Great explanation Dave. THanks.
Very useful Sir, thank you
I just learned about the needles crossing and reading there earlier. I’ve been reading mine wrong.. time to climb on the roof and do some antenna adjustment
Good stuff, thanks Dave!
Thank you Elmer!
Good session thank you
Peak hold is nice on the Palstar meters. Nice and steady.
Thank you, very helpful
Great video!
Great video
Hi David. Thanks for another helpful video. A question though that I can't seem to find an answer for anywhere. I have a new Diawa CN-501H2 and would like to know if it's okay to leave it inline all the time when operating CW. I'm concerned that the needles slapping around contantly could damage the meter. Thanks
Thanks a lot
I think mine might be a newer version PM2000A. Palstar seemed to have helped to address the issue of the dancing needles by having Peak hold button + Peak and Average. Certainly makes it a sight easier to read!
Nicely done as usual Dave.
I do NOT like cross needle meters, too hard to read as they are usually too small, and inaccurate to guesstimate from, like the one on my MFJ Intellituner. So I cheat, I the single meter on the amp is easy top read direct SWR or Power out (along with High Voltage, Gris and Plate current) but the easiest to read is the MFJ 870 single needle, LARGE meter which seems to be very accurate much like my Heathkit HM-102. I would like the MFJ digital model, or event the Elekraft LED SWR meter, but what I have will do. Thanks again Dave, again, nicely done.
@David Casler Are you suppose to speak when checking SWR or should you turn down mic for quiet ?
I have a mfj894 when I took it outside to get a reading on my mobile rig I noticed the forward meter was between 10 and 20 watt but the reflected needle is at 0. Does the cold weather has an effect on the coil at the base of the needle contracting. Those reading was before I hooked up the antenna and transceiver. When I bought it back in the house the needle eventually read 0. It was around 34 degrees outside.
Thanks Dave! This was helpful! Love the shirt! 👍🏻
I just put one on my Christmas list glad you showed this
I have a workman and the reflected power only goes to 2w I was confused why I was seeing a different carrier on 1 vs on 40 I’m seeing 2.5 watts on 1 and 4watts on 40 my swr is higher on 40 so is this due to the reflected power making it seem like my carrier has more power on 40?
Good info, Steve. But remember to face the meter squarely to read it; I mean the meter should be flat at your eye level, not inclined, or the reading will be wrong.
Are SWR meters band specific or one sold for 11 meters work in any band besides 10M? If they are not the same, how can you tell what band(s) the “vintage” equipment without manuals work for? Can using the wrong one burn up your rig?
Thanks.
What is reflected power and forward power and do I need to worry about them like SWR?
Thank you Dave de YC0DMS
Thank you very help full 73"
Tank You Dave and I have them on my MFJ 969 and MFJ962D.
You can use these to make "magic" - and 0 W Refl by finetune with roller and ANTENNA variable condensator! I also use LDG Z11 and LDG 200PRO Excellent types of tuners. Byt You have to decrease outputeffect temporarily from RXTX.
But what the heck!
Perhaps LDG deserves some interest and profilering? What about it? With FT817/818 or ICOM 703+ then Your able to tune without fuzz!
Am I wrong? 73s Gus sm6oer
Nice
This is great I was reading mine wrong
What are forward & return watts?
Nice.........
So are they better then the single needle?
Thank you. N0QFT
So I have to break my licence power conditions to get the SWR down ! :-) .
It's my favorite, abominable snow monster.
What is SWR??
Reading the needles are fairly straightforward, it may be elementary information I would like some additional explanation on Forward and Reflective power and the reasons/causes behind the readings and how to help reduce SWR by adjusting one or the other or both.
Palstar made in USA
Am I correct in saying that the smaller the reading of SWR, the better it is? thanks
You are measuring a type of feedback that can overheat your radio parts. Todays radios are pretty tough. In the 70's a radio would blow up in seconds if the ratio was too high. Anyway you want to keep the "reflected power" below 3 to 1.yes, the lower the better. You prolly wont get below 2.0:1 with most antennas. But, it's ffun trying haha
So what would u have a 80 out with 8 back ...damn that's horrible
So basically, just run 100 watts. Lol.
Let's say for example you have a SWR of 1.5. Wouldn't that stay at 1.5 no matter what power you run? Asking for a friend. 😆
Yes.
Thank you, but after seeing this I would never buy one because they are so difficult to read and use! Add 'parallax' and 'dancing needles' with voice, ` no thank you because two meters are much easier to read than one. Even ONE meter switched is superior.
Yes, it is indeed hard to get a specific number with analog crossed-needle meters. Try the MFJ-849.
Thanks Dave. Great explanation. AF7ZQ