aerial checker

[chrisgee]

anyone know where I can buy an aerial checker ( meter)? I have a five way powered splitter box which seems to be acting up and I want to scheck the actual input from the aerial itself.thanks

 

[ajt]

Found this on a google search a bit pricey though

http://www.tracsat.co.uk/catalog/meters-c-58.html

 

[steverow]

That's a satellite LNB checker/signal strength meter.
The chap needs a VHF VSWR meter.
Really needs to get a competent radio engineer if unsure.

Steve.

 

[William_H]

The obvious way to check on performance of a splitter is to bypass the VHF direct to the antenna with a suitable connector or cable.
My mind boggles at the idea of a 5 way powered splitter. i can understand a splitter for FM radio reception but would not think it worth having and perhaps a splitter to another VHF set but why. Separate aerials are far better.
As for VSWR meter around here they seem to have gone out of fashion with the decline of CB radio but can sometimes be seen at swap meet or flea market. good luck olewill
olewill

 

[gjeffery]

VSWR meters normally have a restricted bandwidth. Unlikely that a 27 MHz (Citizens Band) VSWR meter would be useful at 158 MHz (Marine VHF). An amateur 140 MHz instrument should work.

I also can think of no good reason for having a 5 way splitter. I would be intrigued to know what the splitter feeds and if these loads really need a dedicated 156 MHz antenna.

 

[Benbow]

Something like an AV-40 AVAIR VSWR/POWER Meter from www.wsplc.com is probably what you are thinking of.




But a 5 way powered splitter box ??? What on earth is that for ?

 

[chrisgee]

thanks for all your replies. I inherited this kit and hence am trying to sort it out.
The splitter box is 12v powered and has an input for a Delta200S aerial. then outputs 1 -vhf 2-am/fm - 3wideband ssb --4 output acc for navtex 5--as 4 for loran.decca etc. Seems to be a good idea and the web site also seems to have some good aerial kits etc www.rr-electronic.com. Found a good SWR meter for £20.00 so I can make a start.

 

[pelicanpete]

West Marine in the USA sells a meter made by Shakespeare for about $65.00. May be worth doing a seach on www.westmarine.com. I believe their mailing service is quick and efficient.

 

[William_H]

I would tend to disagree. I used a cheap jap VSWR meter professionally for many years on frequencies from 3 megahertz through to 135 megahertz with no problems. The sensitivity is much greater as the frequency rises but the meter potentiometer can cope with the variations. To my knowledge they are not specifically for one freq. That is at least the ones I am thinking of. olewill