[MicroMobile SWR Readings?]

Just a follow-up for anyone searching forums with a similar issue........

 

After verifying my meter capability, and a lengthy discussion with Midland's product engineer, we decided to move the antenna around and test multiple locations with just a c-clamp & magnet.

 

Similar crappy readings almost anywhere on the headache rack or near the back glass, with slight improvements with elevation, but still not acceptable (still >3:1 swr, but down from 6:1).

Moving rearward, to the toolbox showed huge improvements and eventually got everything <1.4:1.

(still no idea why 462 & 467 would read so extremely different; I'd think they should have both been right or somewhat equally off)

 

So not discounting marcspaz's comments, as I still don't know how long the antenna will work; but for now "location, location" seems to be the key with the MXTA26.

 

-I'll try to edit this if/when marcspaz's prediction comes to fruition & it dies on me...and fyi: I already have a Tram on order.

[MicroMobile SWR Readings?]

Thanks for the reply.

I assumed going from 462 MHz to 467 MHz shouldn't have a large affect to SWR, so this let's me know something is actually wrong.

 

I plan to take it by a shop this week (if they're open), to compare readings against a "better' meter; but sounds like I should research some antennas also.

 

I'm not looking to put a 62" antenna on this vehicle; are your good Tram/Brownings in the 3ft range?

 

Thanks again.

[MicroMobile SWR Readings?]

Guys,

I'm wondering if anyone knows if the SWR range readings should change when switching from simplex to repeater channels.

 

I have a new install of a Midland MXT275 coupled to their MXTA26 (6dB whip antenna).

These are supposedly "factory tuned", but since I was uncertain about the grounding of my truck's headache rack (where I attached the antenna), or the vertical install that close to the cab, I thought I'd throw an SWR Meter on it.

 

Channel 1 & 22 initially showing roughly 2:1.

Added a 10ga ground wire from the antenna bracket to the truck frame; now getting roughly 1.4:1 on both ends.

(analog gauge with poorly incremented dial is why I'm saying roughly)

 

For grins, I went up the the rP channels, recalibrated, & tried 19rp....meter jumped "into the red" at about 6:1.

 

 

Question is....

Should I be seeing similar SWR on the 467MHz as the 462HMz frequencies? ...or is something terribly wrong with my set-up?

 

FYI....I using a "cheap" Workman 104 meter, supposedly rated for 120 - 505 Mhz.