deathrunner

I need a cheap swr meter. I figure i just need to tune my antenna once right? Maybe I can buy one from radio shack and return it. hmmmm.

Kinda dishonest of me, but they are askin like 30 bucks for something I'm only using once. I imagine I can't just use a multi meter, huh?

TDiddy

go to ebay and type in swr meter...there's one ending in 28 minutes and its at like $7.50

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...716248642&rd=1

deathrunner

Thanks. I know there are some sweet deals on ebay, but I'm impatient and I want my cb tuned after I install it (tonight)

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I got mine at Radio Shack, they put them on sale from time to time for $15 or so. Or, try a local CB radio shop if you have one nearby. The place I bought my antenna from would tune the antenna for free once I installed it.

And you'll be using the meter more than once, truct me. CB antennas and cables don't last forever. Shortly after I installed/tuned mine, we went to Pismo for a weekend. When I got back, I found my SWR was way high. Turns out the (conductive) salt spray on the antenna had changed its impedance. A quick cleaning and it was back to normal, but I may not have noticed the problem for a long time. Anotehr time, I switched radios and found the SWR was way high. I swapped in another antenna, still high, swapped in the old radio, still high. Got a new cable, back to normal. The old cable ohmed out OK, but the SWR was 3+. It was about 7 years old and I guess it just wore out. I also carry my meter on the trails, if someone else is having trouble transmitting, its easy to check their SWR and see if that's the problem.

EWAYota

ya, check with your local cb radio shop. when i had mine installed in my old truck, once we installed it in the parking lot, they went ahead and tuned it for me free of charge. that reminds me, im gonna have to get a new one here shortly.

Tacoma Dude

Fry's is always a good place to check out.

deathrunner

Tacoma Dude- Fry's ---Of course, why didn't I think of that. I'll check them out today.

4Crawler- Thanks for the info. I guess I better plan on keeping it. Plus, I already know some friends who are to ignorant to have even tuned in the first place. I guess I'll play good samaritan and get them tuned up too.

Tacoma Dude

If you go to the San Diego Fry's off the 15 don't give up looking for the SWR meter.
The people there don't know where it is and it's hidden pretty well. You can find it on the right top uppermost corner (facing the store entrance) of the CB aisle.

Took me a while to find mine.

deathrunner

I went to the San Marcos store. I got the meter for $9.95 and a 3foot cable for $3.99

That's pretty close to 4Crawler's deal...so I'm happy.

I tune my cb up and was able to achieve 1.25:1 My antenna said average was 1.5:1 so I did pretty good right??

Thanks for all the help -Seth