Subj : Re: CB experiments
To : Ginger1
From : Bob Worm
Date : Thu Feb 13 2025 07:22 pm
Re: Re: CB experiments
By: Ginger1 to Weatherman on Wed Feb 12 2025 21:36:49
Hi, Ginger1.
> Is this different to the meter on the CB radio itself? Mine has a meter with
> a single needle, but two gauges - one labelled signal, the other power.
Yup, the SWR meter is a separate little box with a dial that you need to cable between the radio and the aerial to tune it up.
> And I've been reading about tuning the antenna - but what is there to tune?
Tuning as far as aerials go means the length. If you imagine a wave going up the length of the aerial (?) you get the best results when the length of the aerial is a nice fraction (e.g. 1/4 or 1/2) of a wave's length.
Somewhere on your whip (usually at the bottom or sometimes if there's a coil half way up, there) there will probably be a little grub screw that lets you ajust the length.
In theory if you take the aerial off and put it back on the car you should re-adjust it again but I find mine doesn't really change as I put it back in the same spot. I'm surprised your helpful guy didn't adjust it for you or try to flog you a SWR meter. If you don't want to swing for a meter then at least a one-time adjustment *should* put you *somewhere near* the right length so you hopefully don't damage your radio.
Hmm...
Anyway - hope you get some good contacts. You must be in a half decent place for it to get people on the first attempt :)
