Super-low SWR is massively overrated. Most radios operate just fine with a higher SWR and even at 3:1 no-one will be able to tell the difference on their S meter.
Without wanting to wake Andy up or cajole him into chasing me with a gun - I still like to refer to this book for a bit of common sense :
Of course it is Rob. Lower is better but only within reason. The only reason to really care is if you have a TX that cuts back the power at the slightest sniff of any reflected power. Then you need to ensure the degree of mismatch is low enough not to cause any throttling back in all likely use scenarios. My HF vertical is a bit of ground sensitive pig and can cause the 817 to sulk without a few minutes faffing with the counterpoise.
There are ultra rugged PAs available that will not degrade irrespective of the load applied. But the FT817 isnt one of them!
I’d be interested in what Mickey was using to measure SWR than can resolve a 0.03 change in SWR at 1.2:1. Unless he’s using the kind of precision N or APC connectors they fit to big VNAs (the kind of connector that when I was a student we were told cost more than we got for 3year’s grant!) then the variation in insertion loss on remaking a connection is probably going to be greater!
I’d be interested in what Mickey was using to measure SWR than can
resolve a 0.03 change in SWR at 1.2:1. Unless he’s using the kind of
precision N or APC connectors they fit to big VNAs (the kind of
connector that when I was a student we were told cost more than we got
for 3year’s grant!) then the variation in insertion loss on remaking a
connection is probably going to be greater!
Anything better than 2:1 is fine in my book.
Just having a bit of fun, Andy
Using nothing more sophisticated, than a combination of 3 Watson power/SWR meters. Naturally, they`re all giving a different readings
The worst reading is under 1.2.1, so I’ll settle for that and hopefully test it out on Moel Famau this coming Saturday (if it stops snowing)
Just as an aside, I’ve found Moel Famau an excellent summit for both HF and VHF take-off. Have you had much experience of this one?
In reply to MM0FMF:
No, no and probably no to answer the above.
BUT - what it does have is a nice, easy walk where Micky can drag his
co-linear up without too much trouble.
I’ve activated this summit three times (once with you, IIRC) and everyone says what a nice easy walk this is, however, with over 20kgs in tow, not quite so easy.
We are all waiting to watch him try NW-051 Foel Fenlli (from the
carpark - naturally!)
If YOU can manage NW-051 Foel Fenlli, from the car park, then a man with a wooden leg and grand piano strapped to his back should have little trouble
Ten points is somewhat tempting though, so I may just pair them.