PDA

View Full Version : SWR question



whiteastro
10-22-2019, 06:50 PM
We all have heard about how important it is to have a proper SWR reading for your radio to transmit proper and not burn it up,but here is a different question I have never heard anything about anywhere. The other day I finally took my van and New K40 antenna to my favorite antenna tuning spot ( wide open and clear ) to do my final tuning of the length. I got Channel 1 1-1.1 Channel 40 1-1.1 and Channel 20 was a flat liner. I then seem to notice that the radio seem to receive better than before. Is there anything to that helping the receive or was that just a coincidence because of the conditions that day? I never had any radio training so I am wondering!:tickled_pink:

nosaj
10-22-2019, 08:28 PM
Wide open and clear ? What about elevation? Weather conditions can also help or hurt.

nosaj
N1EBC

whiteastro
10-22-2019, 08:59 PM
Wide open and clear ? What about elevation? Weather conditions can also help or hurt.

nosaj
N1EBC
Clear Day on top of one of N/E PAs many hill tops. I live in what they call the Endless Mountain Region which is actually Rolling Hills after Hills. Elevation changes quickly.

222DBFL
10-22-2019, 09:15 PM
Conditions can change in an instant. Some days will be better then others. As said, elevation, weather, obstacles, and many other factors will determine how good you receive a signal. I’ve had days where there is no noise in my radio allowing me to hear pretty well, other days the noise floor is so high I couldn’t hear locals. It is all about what the conditions are where and when you plan on talking and listening. Enjoy.

JesseJamesDallas
10-24-2019, 07:22 PM
Yes, and conditions also have some say-so on your receive like 222DBFL said.

The better you have your antenna tuned, the better the radio will respond...

But like pointed out, you can have everything tip-top, and tuned perfect, but if Mother Nature wants to drop the hammer on you, or maybe your in a area with lot's of electrical interferences, then you might not hear or transmit a half mile or even less...just the way it is, nothings perfect all the time...

just like DX...sometimes it's there, then other times nothing.

whiteastro
10-25-2019, 05:41 PM
Yes, and conditions also have some say-so on your receive like 222DBFL said.

The better you have your antenna tuned, the better the radio will respond...

But like pointed out, you can have everything tip-top, and tuned perfect, but if Mother Nature wants to drop the hammer on you, or maybe your in a area with lot's of electrical interferences, then you might not hear or transmit a half mile or even less...just the way it is, nothings perfect all the time...

just like DX...sometimes it's there, then other times nothing.


Yes i have experienced the changes in conditions also. I've had days when I turned on the Cb and it was scary because the radio was stone quite with no static, not the CB I was use to. This area has challenges that flat landers aren't use to with the tree covered hills. I live in a deep narrow valley that runs about 20 miles before it widens out on both ends. It interferes with CB, TV, and Cell signals. Or if I turn right or left out of my driveway I can be on the hilltop within 1/4-1/2 mile and can see other and multiple hilltops as far as the eye can see and often wonder just how far they are from me. Often thought it would be a real experience to have a small helicopter to explore with. What a dreamer I am. But like you have said JJD in other posts, the longer the antenna the better it works and I give some of the credit to that why I get better receive. The K40 is about as long as I dare to go because they don't always trim the trees along these country roads and the dirt roads will require a antenna removal. It can be a beautiful trip but it raises heck with the equipment!

BOOTY MONSTER
10-27-2019, 09:27 PM
a change in a few feet can make a difference in both tx and rx . ever been in your vehicle listening to the radio and when pulling up to a light or just going slow the station gets static ? propigation is similar to the real estate business , location location location .

whiteastro
10-28-2019, 05:29 AM
a change in a few feet can make a difference in both tx and rx . ever been in your vehicle listening to the radio and when pulling up to a light or just going slow the station gets static ? propigation is similar to the real estate business , location location location .

Yes there is always the situations that just don't make sense at all. If I turn right leaving my drive way I go thru a culvert under the railroad, and sometimes I get a receive signal as soon as I get thru the culvert. I lose the signal in the matter of a few feet and always wonder why I had one in the first place. The spot is secluded with all kinds of natural barriers but all I can figure is the signal must land there after bouncing off something. On occasions I will get a bit of broken conversation come over my computer speakers and usually it is only a couple words. You have to laugh over the head scratch-er in life. I laughed when it startled the Tech setting up my new modem when I changed phone company.