When I use my Galaxy DX 959 and take an SWR reading, I get a smooth 1.0 on Channel 1 and around 1.3 on Channel 40. When I use an SWR meter I get 2.5 on Channel 1 and 3.0 on Channel 40. Which meter should I go by? Is using the SWR stand alone meter from Astatic interfering with the meter on my Galaxy? I have a 2005 Ford Ranger, Wilson 2000 mounted to the back drivers side of my tailgate with an L bracket, grounded to the truck frame, an 18" firestik coax ring. I have been told to just go by using the Galaxies meter instead of the Astatic SWR meter. I have also noticed that using the SWR meter, even by gently tapping it makes the SWR go all over the place. Which would you all go by? The radio? Or the meter itself? Granted, I get people telling me on the roads that I sound good. The talkback feature on my radio makes me think I sound good too with my noise canceling Astatic mic too.
Could be you have a bad jumper cable hooked to the Astatic, or the Astatic meter has a problem...Usually, the external meters are what you want to go by tho...May try a different SWR meter and see what it says...maybe borrow one or if your able to get by a CB Shop have them double check it.
It's all brand new stuff. Not even a week old. Granted, I know stuff goes bad right away sometimes...But I was curious. I'm kind of sick of going to the CB shop because I'm sure the guy is getting sick of me.
Bet he wasn't sick of you when he took your money! Jumper cables can have bad connectors right out of the bag...I've bought 3' jumpers before at local truck stops that had shorted connectors from the factory several times...Things are put together in China or Mexico by kids that haven't even started school yet!
The only way you are going to find out which one is accurate is by process of elimination. Checking your SWR with another meter that you know is accurate is the place to start, or taking your meter to somebody and letting them check it against theirs.
I bought 3 different truck stop swr meters..All were wrong...Sometimes they can be reset at a cb shop to be accurate..Best bet is to review some of the cb shops in town or on your routes and see who seems to be the best based on what others say..
Niether one take it to a shop. generally speaking I have found very little problems with built in meters, excpt when a golden screwdriver has been at the radio. When Im thru the internal meter will be spot on. I set then to match my Bird43 & my Motorola r2200. If the external meter is old it maybe suspect as well. In any case see a real tech to start with.
