Learning as I go?

Why not compare the reading on your SWR meter to the meter on your radio?
Once you know where the good reading is there's no longer a need for the meter in line

 

This will not address your specific question but it will help with others that will undoubtly come up..

http://www.k0bg.com/

 

Why would you need to check it more than maybe once in a few months or a year?

I would get rid of the crap echo and other things that make the radio sound you're talking into a toilet bowl.

 

Keep your echo if you like but pay attention to where both meters are to compare..Once you see where they are then pack away the external meter..

Ridgeline knows some stuff but seems a lil anal the last few posts i saw..

 

Nothing wrong with being anal retentive.

 

Rabbi..Everything has its place my friend..Im thinkin he maybe haven a bad day and might be in a cranky mood..