Old School CB Question

My CB radio will be here tomorrow and while I've had one before, someone else set it up. This one I'm doing myself and i swear, I've never heard anything about needing an SWR meter before. I hate to buy a gizmo I'll only use once. The radio doesnt have a meter on it (yes, it's that cheap). Are there any work-arounds or places where I could just borrow a meter?

 

I would not worry too much about ur SWR’s with a cheap CB ur probably not going to be trying to talk too long of distance and if you would buy a fiberglass Francis CB antenna 4’ 5‘ 6’ they are preset and you would not have to worry about your SWR’s. It is more important to have Ur SWR’s Set for a more expensive radio so you can talk longer distance and not burn up your radio I don’t think you have anything to worry about with the type of set up you are getting ready to use my opinion

 

Lyfzgood,

Thank you! I bought a 4' Firestick antenna. I bought a door mount for it cause i didn't want to attach it to my mirror. The radio is just an El Chepo Cobra 19.

 

You’ll be fine you’re not going to be talking long distance anyway low SWR’s are more Important when you have more power and trying to talk longer distance anyone else want to chime in and confirm what I am saying is correct

 

@Prerunner1982 is one of the radio gurus here theres a few post by him about them I'd like to learn about it more to.

 

CBs don't work all that well anyways (short antennas mounted in poor locations = compromises) so why make it worse by not tuning the antenna and risk messing up the radio?

Check local truck stops for a CB shop, they will typically test/set your SWR for a small fee or free.

 

This.


I have a Uniden PC68XL. Cheap radio. But I have an swr meter, and its not a "one time thing". Standing Wave Ratio can change from fairly minute things. Now I suppose you can make an argument for not needing one if you are just trying to "walkie talkie" in short distance locations. If you are using a 102" whip ( I have one) then I've never had any SWR issues. More often than not, I use my shorter antenna and my 300 watt linear to get out.