Surecom SW 33Plus SWR Meter
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- Опубліковано 8 жов 2021
- The Surecom SW-33Plus is a full featured SWR and power meter in a handy mini form factor.
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SW-33Plus
amzn.to/3lcwjwm
Radioddity GS-5B
radioddity.refr.cc/jmohan351
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In order to get a more accurate SWR reading, I made a ground plane plate out of a piece of 8"x7" 26 gauge aluminum flashing. With a 19/64" hole drilled dead center, it fits perfectly between the double male adapter and the antenna you are testing. Using this method I got perfect SWR readings on GMRS channels with two different radios using my 771G antennas, confirming - to me at least - they are optimized for those frequencies while non-GMRS frequencies had higher readings.
I've seen others do that, too. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Instead of the included instruction, Surecom should just put a link to your video. Excellent.
You have good taste! I own both devices. The GS-5B and the Surecom meter. You can add SO239 adapters for regular coax. Maks a great on-the-go meter. I also have Surecom's SW-102 in line with my Anyone 778-UV. Which also requires a type N to SO239 adapter. The meters are a good price for what they have to offer.
Glad I stumbled across your channel. Your speaking style reminds me of Andy Rooney from 60 minutes.
Nice video.
Very helpful video. Thank you!
Awesome video! I get it now! No one else actually showed the antenna being connected. I was only seeing dummy loads.
Awesome. Thanks for commenting.
great small gadget... thanks for the review...
Tnx for reviewing this. Well done. 73 VE1AM
I just received the older version (SW33) in the mail, apparently, an Amazon seller still sells the older version, which comes with the 5-watt dummy load instead. It has most of the same functions which will work for me just fine, however, I want to caution folks who click on affiliate links out there on UA-cam to be aware that they might be slightly obsolete with newer versions to be had in some cases. Cheers & 73, Dave, KU9L
Hello! Can you tell me why with the same antenna on different radios I get different SWR readings?
Thank you for the positive review. I'm curious, would this equipment be suitable for testing both my 25-watt and 45-watt base radios, or is it designed specifically for portable radios? Your clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
If your base stations are 2m and 70 cm, then it should work fine. You'll likely need an adapter for your coax, though. Cheers.
@@GadgetTalk4U thanks
You need to mention with this swr meter using the antenna that you need to hold the swr meter exactly as shown in the pictuto ground it out. Also the antenna needs to be straight up and down. Those to things make all the difference in the world when checking the antenna.
I have the standard SW-33 and an getting very high SWR reasons. I cup my hand around t the device as the instructions say, but to no avail. I also have a SW-102 with a ground plane plate and even with the plate I get very high SWR readings, even with Nagoya NA-771 and NA-24J antennas. I have to ask, is this meter better than the standard SW-33? Oh, also, what's the story with the dummy load? Does it read all the way to 20W, or should the cutoff be less? Thnx!
I'm not sure about the differences as I don't have the SW-33. Try comparing the specs on their respective sales pages. As for your high VSWR try using the dummy load. Mine says it has a 20Watt peak limit. That probably means less than 1 - 2 seconds before damaging the unit. Set your radio to a lower power setting. With the dummy load attached and no antenna you should get a zero reflected power amount so a VSWR of close to 1.0. The power reading should be what the radio's outputting. I've found that's usually less than what's advertised. If you get a high VSWR with the dummy load you know there's something wrong with the device. If the VSWR is low with the dummy load then something is reflecting power back to the radio in the antenna system. I did a video on the channel on HT antenna comparisons you might find helpful.
@@GadgetTalk4U Good comments all! I have a 50W dummy load that tends to be a bit heavy for such small meter and it gives me a 1.00 reading. Your meter has a very small readout, but at least it can be seen on camera. I have an SW-102 meter, but I don't know whether to get an SW-33+ or keep the SW-33. I'd like a small pocket meter; just don't know which way to go. Did you consider the standard SW-33 when you bought the 33+? Also, have you noticed a significant difference in SWR when you cup the meter? (One reviewer complained that when he cupped the meter, the SWR went down and that when he released it, it went up. But that's exactly what the manual, such as it is, said to do.)
If you needed to trim an antenna, would you fell comfortable using the SW-33Plus? Or would you want something more a bit more extensive?
@@johnroberts6695 If I were tuning a base station antenna, I think I'd use a more expensive meter. I have a MFJ 874 that covers that range as well as a NanoVNA that does VSWR readings. Sad to say, I haven't compared them.
The + has a back lit display, shows forward watt power and reverse reflection. It also has a SW readout
The
Mark II (your device) has a digital readout, forward watt power and a SW readout.
The difference between the two is the display and the + shows reverse reflection.
I purchased a Surecom SW-33 Plus to test SWR and wattage on my GMRS radios prior to using them. I don't think it's working correctly. It shows 1.7 SWR on the dummy load and shows 19.9 SWR on the stock factory rubber duck antennas. Now I'm uncertain and don't want to talk on them until I know for certain it will be ok. Any suggestions?
Couple things, many small radios have bad SWR on stock rubber duck antennas. I'd use it anyway, for now. Next, find a friend with an SWR meter and compare the two. Even asking on a repeater or when you hear someone might uncover someone who would help you. Last, get a different style SWR meter and compare the two. If you got them on Amazon, return one or the other. Cheers.
I have a Standard Horizon VHF 1255S and would like to test output. I was thinking about the Shakespeare AR-3 or the Surecome SW 102 SWR meters. Is there any reason I would have to buy the dummy load with the Surecome meter or can I just connect my antenna?
Just connect your antenna. Dummies are good when doing a lot of testing on busy frequencies. Just remember to ID when transmitting as required by whatever service you're using. Cheers.
@@GadgetTalk4U Thanks for the info!
Why did you need to change the power of the radio when you connected the antenna?
I changed it to use the least power required. As this device says it is best to use at least 3 watts, I could have left it on high.
Do you have to touch the metal case of the meter with your hand or not?
YES, the manual suggests you cup the meter in your hand to get an accurate SWR reading. If you only want a power reading, you don't need to do this, however. By cupping the radio in your other hand, it will act as a ground plane. Thus your readings will be more accurate.
@@johnroberts6695 Hi. Yes, I bought one. I wanted an SWR meter so that I wouldn't have to deal with problems with the antennas and connections and know which ones are convenient and which ones aren't, and the manual indicates this. By the way, it seems accurate for how portable it is, right? Regards.
@@Hexagramaton » Well, that's the big question, but during the last day or so I’ve learned precious little about them. I suspect the SWR is far more accurate with mobile or station radios, as there's so much RF energy bouncing around that the SWR seems unusually high for all HTs. I have a SW-102 with a ground plane plate and I was expecting BIG differences in readings, but it didn't happen. I suspect the reason Surecom stopped including them was because they just weren't making a huge difference. Perhaps if I put six- to ten-inches of cable between the antenna and the meter it might change things, but I still have to find TYT's damn proprietary cable for the TH-8600. I can't find one anywhere, so I can't test my theory.
@@johnroberts6695 I understand. I have found that SWR measurement on portable transceivers is very poor. There is no system or norm that measures the radiation of a wave fraction in a mobile system without anchor and without proper mass. I mean that in the walkie the establishment of the transmission should always be with a ground plane and it is never observed or can be observed, unlike the anchored and mounted emissions with installation. The antennas of the walkie talkies are terrible, and this device at least serves to see if the antenna, although it does not have all the precision that I would like, resonates more or less decently. All the best.
By the time you add all of the connectors that you might need you will need a larger box. Lol try the surecom sw 102 nice little box!
I used one of my bird watt meters to calibrate the 102 and found that the one that I received measured my HT about ¾ to 1 watt low. I used the 102 connected to the radio and the ant side connected to the bird meter. For termination. The 102 is what I am adding to my repeater so that I can monitor its output power.
How accurate is this meter?
I've not run comparisons against any validated or certified meters. As with most consumer grade kit, I assume it is in the ball park. No more, no less.
73