general lee swr

Does it measure reactance and tell us if it's capacitive or inductive?
Assuming it simply measures impedance which varies depending on phase angle have you noticed a lack of accuracy using different length cables?

 

As to jumper, it was convenience of length and quality of construction.

I don’t change cables around according to length to try to affect tuning. Nothing against it, just hasn’t come up.

I eventually get a rig to work okay or well, sometimes with help, but then it’s on to a new truck. Start all over.

Past having a readable meter — it’s usefulness — I’ve been learning to play with an MFJ 945e Mobile Antenna Tuner per their instructions. But I’m not trying to fit the radio rig onto the dash or in the overhead.

 

I wonder how many drivers are actually using one of those? In that particular situation the jumper length would be simply a matter of convenience.
Me personally I don't use one

 

As I’ve posted several times, I’ve also pickup and travel trailer to do.
Maybe HAM for all.

So I also doubt they’re running the roads with a “portable” base station on the front seat.

The 945e sold me on using a cross needle meter

 

I always figured an antenna tuner was for those guys who want to use multiple VHF/UHF bands on the fly, and so they get such things as tuners and motorized screwdrivers to accommodate the wide variety of frequencies.

For most CB users confined to the band, adjusting the antenna to get decent SWRs and locking it all in place is good enough for truckers' work.

 

Then you might be surprised at the difference between being at standstill and at 67-mph with a crosswind.

Not going to recommend someone get one, but it’s been useful for my purposes.

 

Yep, like that recent video here showed, things are always changing a bit when you're moving. It's just that since I'm a 27.185mhz freak and only venture a few mhz fractions up-or-down for the longer conversations, I've never been tempted to try a tuner. My frequency needs are pretty confined.

 

I can say the same. 19 or nothing (90% of the time).

What the antenna system “wants” from standstill to speed (and yet again with High Plains crosswind) is interesting to “see”.

 

My radio goes in and out of truck each shift. Always have to check SWR because connections are wonky and frequently have to wiggle connection for decent SWR. Don't matter which make/model. That's why I use Galaxy 919 with built in meter so i have a clue if antennae connection is good.

 

I posted on here a while back that if somebody super glued my channel selector on Channel 19 I wouldn't notice it for 6 months lol