This radio has swr meter - Galaxy Radios DX- 88HL Base CB Radio

SWR Meter operation is fairly simple. The manual for SWR-3 is here with instructions and schematic.

https://www.opekantenna.com/proimages/SWR-3.pdf

Videos as well
https://www.google.com/search?q=vanco+meter+swr-2+manual

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The SWR cannot be changed by rotating this knob. The SWR function allows you to determine the SWR or "match" of the antenna system and transmitter on a specific channel. The entire process must be performed whenever you want to know what the SWR is on a different channel. The SWR/CAL button toggles the meter between the CALIBRATE and SWR modes.
Set the radio to CH1. Press the SWR/CAL button. The radio CAL(ibrate) mode is now selected. Press and hold the mic PTT (or push to talk) button. Rotate the SWR knob as needed to adjust the meter indicator until it is on the SET mark on the dial. The meter is now calibrated for this channel.

While still holding down the mic PTT, press and release the S/RF SWR CAL button to the SWR setting to read the SWR on the meter.



This entire process should be done for Ch 20 and Ch 40. You must go through the CAL procedure for EACH channel before attempting to read the SWR.


Changing the SWR requires that the antenna be lengthened or shortened until such time that the SWR can be reduced no further. Typical SWR across the band may be:


CH1 - 1.5:1, CH20 - 1.1:1, CH40 1.5:1


or


CH1 - 2.2:1, CH20 - 1.7:1, CH40 2.3:1


The "dip" in SWR on CH20 is typical, as the antenna is the perfect length on only one channel - it will be come slightly too long or slightly too short as you tune up or down from CH20. The further away from CH20 you go, the poorer the SWR will be. You can "slide" the dip to any channel you prefer - say CH8. If you tune for lowest SWR on CH8, You might see CH1 with a 1.2:1 SWR, CH8 at 1.1:1 SWR and CH40 at 2.5:1. All are acceptable - sort of. Many manufacturers say up to 2.5:1 or even 3.0:1 matches are ok, There's no reason a quality antenna can't be tuned for optimum SWR in the middle of the band (CH20) to have less than a 2.0:1 SWR on CH1 or CH40, unless there is a ground issues or bad cable / antenna / connection somewhere.


You can view the manual here. I hope this helps & good luck!

Here is a basic instruction on how to adjust the SWR. When you adjust the SWR, you are not changing anything on the radio. You are actually tuning the antenna for best SWR. The lower the better. SWR stands for "Standing Wave Ratio" Or in layman's terms, SWR is energy that is reflected back into the radio. The higher your SWR reading, the more RF energy that is not leaving the antenna, and getting reflected back into the radio. This can cause damage to the transmit section of the radio. The length of the antenna is what will change this. The length of the antenna must match the length of the radio wave. The following instruction will explain how to take an SWR reading, and how to use that reading to ascertain weather the antenna is too long or too short.

Here is a quick explanation of the meter. There are 3 settings for the meter. SWR, MOD, and PWR. When you are not keying the radio the meter will show you your receive signal. How strong some ones signal is. When you have the switch on MOD and key, when you talk it shows you modulation. How much audio you are putting through the radio. When its on power, and you key the radio, it shows you your dead key wattage.

Tuning your antenna:

It is important to tune your CB radio antenna to the proper length. The length must exactly match the wavelength of the frequency you transmit on. Or be really really close.

All Cb antenna's have a way to adjust the length of the antenna. If it's a mag mount, the metal whip can be slid in and out of a metal collar. Usually a set screw. If its a fiberglass whip, the way to tune it is on top. It either has a small metal rod with a set screw to adjust the length, or it threads in and out to adjust length.

Either type you have it will need to be adjusted for proper length. Here is how to tune the antenna to lowest SWR.

Some radios have a built in SWR meter. Some do not. If yours doesn't have an SWR meter, then you have to use an external SWR meter. Radio shack carries one, and you can find them cheap on ebay.

If you have a built in SWR meter or external, the procedure is the same:

1. Turn the radio to CH 20.(This is the center of the band.)
2. Switch the meter switch to SWR
3. Key the radio. (Important. Do not talk while keying the radio.)

Where the meter falls after that point is you SWR reading. If its above 3, that is real bad. 2 is not gonna kill your radio but its not the greatest. 1.5 and under is a good place to be, but the lower the better.

If your SWR is high, Here is how to find out if your antenna is too long or too short.

1. Turn to CH 1
2. Repeat SWR procedure. You must calibrate every time you do it.
3. Remember the SWR reading.
4. Turn to CH 40.
5. Again repeat SWR procedure.
6. Compare the reading between CH 1 and CH 40.

Now if the SWR is higher on channel 1 then channel 40 your antenna is too short. You must make it longer.

If the SWR is longer on channel 40 then on channel 1, then the antenna is too long, you need to make it shorter.

Make height adjustments about an eight inch at a time, and take reading each time.

once the SWR is significantly lower and the reading on channel 1 and 40 are about the same, you a about matched. At this point turn the radio to the center of the band, channel 20 and take an SWR reading.

You should now have a low SWR reading, 1.5 or under. If you are 1.5 or under, you are good to go.

If you cannot get the SWR to an appropriate level, there may be an antenna problem.

The SWR meter connect between your antenna and your rig,
So the Out of the rig, goes into the SWR meter, and the antenna plugs into the SWR meter.

With radio turned on

1. Switch the first switch (S/RF SWR CAL) to CAL setting
2. Key mic up &
3. Turn SWR CAL knob while still keying mic until the needle is on the red CAL arrow at the far end of the meter scale. Unkey mic.
4. Switch the first switch back to SWR setting.
5. Key mic up again and record SWR reading and adjust as needed.
6. When done adjusting put switch back in the S/RF setting for normal operation.

Do not flip the switch with the mic keyed up.

Always use an external meter to set SWR. If the ant. warning light comes on it indicates a problem with the SWR. Check it with external meter.

weather can effect your meter .Those meters are not very accurate just a base line get a good swr meter and then check it.If your getting good radio checks it could be the potentoimeter is dirty . Radio shack sells contact cleaner and lube try cleaning it . That might help

You are using an inline swr meter to set your swr right, not looking at the meter on the radio? Here is the process to set swr on an antenna:

You must have an inline swr meter, which can be purchased online or from a truck stop. The ones at truck stops are cheap ones, but will do the trick for the most part.

You connect your antenna 18ft coax to the antenna plug of the swr meter, and a jumper coax (any length) to the transmitter plug of the swr meter and then to the radio.

Close all doors and make sure no one is messing around with the vehicle or antenna. You must be set up as you would normally be transmitting.

Now set your cb radio to channel 40 and your swr meter to fwd. Key up your microphone and at the same time turn the set knob on the swr meter until the needle is at the line that reads set. Unkey your mic and set the the swr meter to ref. Key up again and note what your reading is. Now leave the swr meter in ref and turn the cb to channel 1. Key up and take your reading. If the reading on ch 1 is higher than ch 40 you must raise the stinger on your antenna. If ch 1 is lower than 40, you lower your stinger. You are trying to get lower than a reading of 3 and as close to 1.5 as possible. If you lower your stinger as far into the antenna as it will go and you need it shorter, you cut the bottom of your stinger no more than 1/2" at a time, and recheck your swr reading after each cut.

Once you have gotten the best reading you can, connect your antenna directly back to the radio.

The setting of your swrs is to make your antenna as efficient as possible, by trying to get it as close as you can to a 50ohm impedance. THE ONLY PART OF YOUR SYSTEM THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR SWR IS YOUR ANTENNA, not your coax and not your radio. Your radio and coax can give you false readings, but only the antenna can actually change the swr.

On the swr meter, the fwd/ref switch stands for forward (power that is being transmitted out) and reflected (power that is reflected back into the radio.

Just for information sake, the swr cal switch on your radio is used to set the meter to reflect the swr that your antenna is set at. The meter on your radio is like a dummy light on your car. ONCE AGAIN, YOU CAN NOT SET YOUR SWR ON YOUR RADIO, only the antenna.

Hi,

Based on your post/description:

1. how do i set the swr
Normally SWR are calibrated on your operating channel (where you usually stand-by). This is to maximize transmit power and receive sensitivity. To set SWR, switch to channel of your choice, switch SWR control to CAL, key or press PTT, while pressing PTT rotate ADJ knob until max deflection of needle on meter, release mic, switch control to SWR, key/press PTT, needle reading/deflection is SWR for that channel.

I would suspect that your SWR will vary from your current 1.4. This is because you have too big excursion of channels (240 channels).

2.reading a 1.4
This reading is good enough and should do. However as earlier stated, you seem to have 240 channels which would mean that your radio + antenna moves in a wide bandwidth and since the antenna tuning is affected by frequency, your SWR will also be affected by channel.

Best if you can further lower it down.

3. some cb cant get me
This is because the standard CB radio is only 40 channels. The next would be a 80 channel and then 120 channels.

4. is it my radio
Yes, you have a wide coverage radio almost an extended 10 meter rig.

5. do i have to set my radio on high or low to set my swr
I will assume you are referring to power output, set it to HIGH when doing SWR calibration

Hope this be of some help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.