SWR 3 is OK.

[sfu7274456]

Check this out. Some guy on another board posted up questions on how to tune his antenna, So I responded with a general walk through. So another used posted up that he didn't need to tune his antenna because it was a 5' Francis and SWR up to 3 is ok. I quote

"Are you trying to tune the SWR, or are you talking when it goes in the red? I wouldn't sweat it if you are just talking, but if you are tuning it then you want it as close to 1 as possible. Under 1.5 is desired, but less than 3 is acceptable."

I just laughed. Thought I would post it up with some guys that would get a kick out of it.

Scott

['Doc]

You know, the really odd part of it is that it can be true. Just depends on exactly what aspect of that antenna's characteristics you're talking about. For example.
If the aspect that's being talked about is the antenna's efficiency, how well it radiates, there are very few (if any) instances where an antenna's input impedance will be anything close to the 50 ohms that the radio would rather see, and which will result in an SWR of close to 1.0:1. That input impedance depends on a number of things, the length of the antenna (loaded or not), and it's environment, what's around it. It can range from almost nothing, zero, to almost infinite (or close enough not to make any practical difference). That's just considering the efficiency of the antenna. When you start thinking about efficiency from the radio's end, that high SWR just ain't very efficient, the radio ain't gonna like it much so it isn't going to put out as much work as it possibly could. Which basically means things ain't so good. So, that 3:1 ain't necessarily all bad. It just means you ain't finished with 'tuning' that antenna, matching impedances.
Not knowing how the statement was intended, it's certainly not very 'smart' on the face of it...
- 'Doc

[sfu7274456]

The kid posted up questions on how to fix his antenna because whenever he keys up the antenna light comes on. It is very poorly grounded, and mounted to the tailgate on a jeep like vehicle. The antenna it self does not even extend above the roof of the vehicle.

[jessejamesdallas]

The kid posted up questions on how to fix his antenna because whenever he keys up the antenna light comes on. It is very poorly grounded, and mounted to the tailgate on a jeep like vehicle. The antenna it self does not even extend above the roof of the vehicle.

There are allot of guys that for whatever reason will do that, then wonder why the antenna won't tune, and why they just can't get out across the street, when everyone else is talking across the Country with their set-ups...

Check out some of these installs these guys did, with their Stargun Antenna's...And these are Antenna's that cost Hundreds of Dollars! (never mind the fact they are IMO junk to start with)
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Just had to share!

[WL74]

Would an improper or lack of ground cause a high SWR reading?

['Doc]

A lot of things can cause a high SWR. A lack of, or an incorrectly done ground is only one of them, and not as likely the cause as some might think.
- 'Doc