If you can borrow a vhf/uhf watt meter you could get a better reading of the swr. Anything over 2.5 to 1 will cause the protection circuits to roll back the power output. You could then compare that with the published specs for the antenna. That would verify if you have a problem or not
GL Rolf NR0T
On Mar 31, 2017 7:27 PM, "Ken Alexander" [email protected] wrote:
I just checked the SWR using my FT-817ND's built in meter. I connected directly from the 817 to the appropriate connector on the Arrow.
At 435 MHz the SWR meter shows 5 bars, which doesn't sound good to me.
At 145 MHz I get a very brief indication of 6(?) bars and then the the bars immediately disappear. This sounds to me like a protection circuit engaging, and subsequent presses of the mic button produces no output. It also explains why I practically never get into SO-50.
The FT-817 manual is silent on the meaning of the bars on the SWR meter. Does anybody have an knowledge of the 817's SWR meter that they could pass along to me? Any assistance would be very gratefully received!
Many thanks in advance,
Ken VE3HLS
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