SWR Question/Guidance

[tlcsr66]

I was setting up a new AR-5RM i decided to test the swr level for the antenna in the box  the meter showed 3-4. I started testing my other antennas. Some of the antennas were kind of high, 6-7.

Then I noticed while keying the radio if I touched the swr meter the reading would drop, in some cases down to 1.1-1.5. As soon as it stopped touching the meter the readingbwould shoot back up. I tested the antennas on frequencies 462-467.

Could the antennas be having a grounding issue or is there something else I'm overlooking?

Thanks for any help.

[SteveShannon]

8 minutes ago, tlcsr66 said:

I was setting up a new AR-5RM i decided to test the swr level for the antenna in the box  the meter showed 3-4. I started testing my other antennas. Some of the antennas were kind of high, 6-7.

Then I noticed while keying the radio if I touched the swr meter the reading would drop, in some cases down to 1.1-1.5. As soon as it stopped touching the meter the readingbwould shoot back up. I tested the antennas on frequencies 462-467.

Could the antennas be having a grounding issue or is there something else I'm overlooking?

Thanks for any help.

It’s something you’re overthinking. Checking SWR on handheld radios is simply not accurately accomplished and unnecessary. 

[OffRoaderX]

You are overlooking the fact that you can never get a good/accurate SWR reading on an HT antenna, so don't bother - just make sure you have an antenna that is designed for use on whatever frequency range you use, and just enjoy your radio.

[OffRoaderX]

Globdammut!

[tlcsr66]

Thanks for the responses. I'm off to to talk to complete strangers about world events on my radio

[WRHS218]

8 minutes ago, tlcsr66 said:

Thanks for the responses. I'm off to to talk to complete strangers about world events on my radio

If it were HAM you could talk to strange lonely men about the weather/latest medical issues, but since you are on GMRS you will probably just talk to nobody. However, as someone recently pointed out, radio can be a lot like the movie Beetlejuice. If, on GMRS, you say CQ three times a HAM operator will magically appear to make your life miserable. Good luck.

[OffRoaderX]

1 hour ago, tlcsr66 said:

I'm off to to talk to complete strangers about world events on my radio

For that, you should try the Grindr app. It opens you up to a whole new world of anonymous men to chat with.

[WRXR255]

4 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

For that, you should try the Grindr app

I hear that they might be shutting down for a while to stop the spread of MonkeyPox.