How to SWR and tune Aerials.

To SWR and tune an antenna, you will need an SWR meter and a tuner. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Connect the SWR meter between the antenna and the radio. The SWR meter should have two connectors labeled “ANT” and “TRANSMITTER” or “RADIO.” Connect the antenna to the “ANT” connector and the radio to the “TRANSMITTER” or “RADIO” connector.
2. Set the radio to the desired frequency.
3. Key the radio and adjust the SWR meter to “FWD” mode. Note the SWR reading.
4. Key the radio again and switch the SWR meter to “REF” mode. Note the SWR reading.
5. Calculate the SWR by dividing the “FWD” reading by the “REF” reading. For example, if the “FWD” reading is 2 and the “REF” reading is 1, the SWR is 2:1.
6. If the SWR is higher than 1.5:1, you will need to adjust the antenna length or use a tuner to match the antenna to the radio.
7. To adjust the antenna length, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or use an antenna analyzer to determine the resonant frequency of the antenna. Adjust the length of the antenna until it is resonant at the desired frequency.
8. If using a tuner, connect the tuner between the radio and the antenna. Tune the tuner to match the antenna to the radio.
9. Repeat steps 3-5 to verify that the SWR is within acceptable limits.
10. Once the SWR is within acceptable limits, you can operate the radio normally.