Surecom SW-102 GMRS power and SWR meter

[@tangobayus]

I used this to make a combination half-wave dipole that I thought would work for both 2 m and 70 cm. This unit said it was OK. Lately I noticed that the SWR on this antenna on my radio was closer to 5. I have now made separate half wave dipoles for both bands and use a switch to select the correct antenna. The SWR is now 1.5 or less after trimming the antennas. SWR increases as power increases, probably because the antennas are indoors and fairly close to the radio.

[@mitchh6702]

Great job as usual! Enjoy your videos!

[@conorturton]

If you don't put a good enough ground plane in then the antenna system will use the coax to make up for it. With that you can end up with lots of problems because of common mode RFI because your coax is now part of the antenna. This can be increased receive noise, interfering with electronics in your home or vehicle, distorted audio on transmit.

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

@@conorturton Thanks for the info and for watching 👍🏻

[@JonesingForTools]

Great content, I also subscribed, Brother!

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

@@JonesingForTools Thank you!! 👍🏻

[@cowpies2001]

Only thing i wish you did was leave the antenna on the deck, not touching metal. To show a comparison why a ground plane is needed. Other than that. Great demonstration.

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

@@cowpies2001 good idea. Will do a short video next week. Thanks! 👍🏻

[@cowpies2001]

@practicalgadgetsandstuff that would be awesome! I'm dealing with the same antenna giving off too much swr. I belive it's because i don't have it grounded enough. Unfortunately weather has haulted me from testing.

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

@@cowpies2001 Video is up! I think you may have a problem with the antenna. Maybe the cable. The result surprised me!

[@cowpies2001]

@practicalgadgetsandstuff wow I'm really surprised there was no difference. We'll I appreciate you doing that, now I've got to tinker with my own setup and do some R&D.

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

@@cowpies2001 try testing the antenna with another mag mount. Have to be a mount or cable problem. Good luck!

[@billredding2000]

Would these kinds of "home made" ground planes work with a CB radio also? I have a President New Virginia CB radio antenna for car roofs, but could use it on my balcony also with these ground planes. Have you stopped using your CB (President McKinley?) and 5' Firestik antenna you used to have on your balcony (I don't see it there anymore) and now you're only using GMRS? -- BR

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

No Bill. I tried everything with my CB on my balcony. Not enough ground plane. CB requires more than GMRS. But I found a solution with the Firestik IBA-5 indoor antenna. Works awesome. Now I have a SWR of 1.3 and very good comms. Watch the video I made on it. Thanks for watching! 👍🏻

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

The link to the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6CupJZ5f62qqMksi=aiikv5PEIS128ZBJ

[@billredding2000]

@@practicalgadgetsandstuff Yes, that's what I was talking about: The CB with the Firestik IBA-5 (I have that antenna also). So your CB setup seemed to be working fine but now I see you have GMRS on your balcony so was wondering what happened. -- BR

[@practicalgadgetsandstuff]

I use both Bill. The CB antenna is full time outside, but everything else goes inside when not in use. Is a small balcony! 🤣

[@billredding2000]

@@practicalgadgetsandstuff Okay, thanks. -- BR