Yes, but the reflected power reading is more accurate than the standing wave reading. It's because the swr/power meter is usually installed close to the radio instead of the antenna. With the antenna being far from the radio (usually 18ft), the reflected power going through the coax can cause a lower swr reading. That's one of the reason to use good quality coax because of the db per foot loss. Unfortunately an swr meter won't tell the whole story. Since the OP doesn't have an analyzer, it makes it harder to know what's changed in his antenna system.
Yeap very true..Also that jumper used could be an issue of sorts,the good ole swr meter itself is another issue... I found out the hard way was to read,listen to those who seem to know,watch vids ect and i ended ul doin more than i expected...Cb is just not plug n play thats for sure,its a constant learning hobby.. When i learned about my analyzer being able to read from radio side or ant side i saw a difference in what i thought my radio set up was doin..Still not alot further ahead but im slowly gaining ground(no pun intended)
honestly, i think i fried my cobra 29 from yacking on the radio all day every day for a week with swr's at 4 for a week and my antenna light being on. I work locally on my line of work uses the cb.
If you can hear but not get out at all then the finals are likely gone..Not a big deal to have fixed..
Maybe not. If you can calibrate your external swr meter, you still are getting RF power out of the TX final. It sure wouldn't hurt to have a tech check it out for you.
