When checking the SWR of an HT, it's important that you use a paw to surround the body of your radio. That way, it forms a ground plane and you get a better, more accurate reading. Manufacturers actually test their numbers this way, and that's why it's so difficult to get an SWR reading. The larger Surecom originally came with a piece of steel that fit between the meter and the antenna to solve the problem, but guess what? It not only significantly added to the cost of the meter, the damn thing didn't work! And so far, meter designers have not found a way to produce an affordable way to measure SWR on a small meter. The good news is that your antenna’s probably performing a lot better than you think it does (if you hold it correctly), and the bad news is, you'll never be able to get an accurate reading on your Gizmometer SW-33 or any other handheld unit. But you can trim an antenna and measure the SWR of a 20W-100W mobile or base radio.
I don't own the 'plus' version, rather the previous model Surecom SW33. The instructions specifically state that when measuring SWR on HT antennas the meter MUST be grounded (using your hand) by touching the meter. I have found that this does make a difference. I can't say how accurate it is, I only own one meter, the SW 33. But I do know the SWRs are different between 'grounded' and non grounded. On GMRS 01, I get an SWR of >2.0 ungrounded. But touching the meter (grounded) I get a reading of 1.2. In the Ham UHF band, ungrounded 2.3, grounded 1.07. This is all with the supplied UV5R anntenna. I don't find much difference in the VHF band. But 'grounding' the meter DOES seem to change the SWR, not always for the better, depending on freq.
I've observed the same thing also. My instruction manual did not mention anything about grounding, but they are probably the same meter with just a different interface. When I was using the expensive antenna analyzer in one of my previous videos, I noticed the SWR would change when I was not holding the analyzer. Good to know information, I'm usually always holding the meter when testing.
@@RidgeHikerAdventures generally, with standard analyzers, one would be holding the meter while adjusting the freq. But on HTs and an SWR bridge, I would think most ppl would just be holding the HT. Which would be the correct way to check power, but not when checking SWR with this 'bridge'. SWR with this device is a two handed task, radio in one hand while the other is touching the swr bridge. As I mentioned, I see differences in the measured swr when touching the bridge. Significant enough that without grounding (via my hand) I'd JUNK some antennas if I believed the SWR (when NOT touching the bridge).
@@RidgeHikerAdventures I'm not sure if they have updated the Manual but I did Google search on the Mcbazel Surecom SW-33 Plus, downloaded the PDF and it has _photos_ of what to do and how to hold the meter when doing SWR and power testing. You may want to check that out.
@@braddahbill8131 The manual actually shows how to correctly hold the meter for proper measurements. It shows you must hold the unit to take SWR measurements.
Thank you for the positive review. I'm curious, would this equipment be suitable for testing both my 25-watt and 45-watt base radios, or is it designed specifically for portable radios? Your clarification would be greatly
