Re: VHF Radio has low power output
That "SWR meter shows a loss toward the right side of the meter" statement is still confusing. Are you looking at the SWR mode (reflected power) or forward power (normal mode)? Higher SWR indicates an antenna mismatch (or bad connection). Mismatch mean loss of performance and is hard on the transmitter. If SWR is worse on the lower frequency end of the band the antenna needs to be slightly longer, worse on the higher freqencies then shorten it a tad, working step by step in very small increments. Steel antennas usually have a little set screw below where the "stinger" (top, skinny part) is attached. Loosen it up and move it the needed direction, then tighten and recheck. In the power mode is the transmitter putting out less than it used to as checked by the same meter? Believe it or not more power isn't usually nearly as helpful as a better antenna and less lossy feedline. Sounds like you are in good shape thataway so long as all your connectors are good. Make sure they are good should be the first step, tuning the antenna is a distand second priority, so long as it is indeed a marine band antenna. By the way, both inner and outer conductors ARE necessary for both transmit and receive. You can sometimes receive so so with only the center conductor if the signal is coming in strong, but that is not how it should be. If it is hearing more distant weaker stations OK you probably aren't too far from being in good shape. By the way, if your swr meter is not rated for the marine band frequencies, it is probably useless. A CB meter is almost certainly not accurate here. If the meter has an instruction book it can be most helpful, though some can get pretty complicated. By the way, make sure you seal all your coax connections with weatherproof tape or putty once you get it right, or else it won't stay good for long.
