SWR Tuning made easy!
This is how you can adjust the Standing Wave Ratio on your Gold Wing's CB Antenna
Location of CB connections All SWR meters are essentially the same, there may be differences in the
location of the controls, but they will have the same function.
For additional instructions with the meter and cable information click HERE
- To the far left is the meter, it is shown in the calibrate position when transmitting
- The knob on the left is the function switch, in the SWR position
- The switch selects Forward or Reflected power, here it is set to forward for calibration
- The knob on the right is the calibration knob, it is adjusted for full scale
- After hooking up the cables, set the function switch to SWR
- Set the selector switch to Forward (Cal on the Radio Shack meter)
- Set the CB on channel 1, then press the transmit switch on the handlebar, while it is depressed, turn the calibration knob so that the meter goes to the top of the scale, as shown in the image above, then release the transmit switch
- Set the selector switch to Reflected (switch to SWR on the Radio Shack meter), then press the transmit switch on the handlebar again, then read the SWR from the meter. In the photo notice that there are 5 marks, then a 0.5, a space, then 1, another mark, then a 2, make a note of the reading for Channel 1.
- Repeat the same procedure for Channel 40, make a note of the reading.
- If the reading for Channel 40 is lower than Channel 1, then your antenna is too short
- Loosen the set screws on the top part of the antenna loading coil, pull the whip out about 1/4", retighten, then repeat the measurements shown above till the SWR reaches a number less than 2 on all channels, tighten set screws
- If the reading for Channel 40 is higher than Channel 1, your antenna is too long
- Loosen the set screws on the top part of the antenna loading coil, carefully cut about 1/8" from the bottom of the whip, retighten and then repeat the measurements until the SWR reaches a number less than 2 on all channels
Shown above is my reading on Channel 1, this is the ideal 1 to 1 ratio
- It will not always be possible to achieve results as shown above, any ratio below 2 to 1 will give good results, and little difference will be noted compared to the amount of labor involved.
- I believe the main reason I have such good numbers is because I was extremely careful to make sure I had good grounds on the antenna, the grounding strap that goes in the trunk, between the antenna and the frame, was carefully cleaned with a wire brush to make sure the grounds were as good as I could make them
Page updated November 9, 2006
John Owens©