What happens if the SWR reading is 2:1 or worse?

What happens if the SWR reading is 2:1 or worse?

• A. The transmitter shuts down
• B. The antenna length may need to be readjusted or the entire antenna system troubleshot
• C. The signal is boosted
• D. The receiver rejects the signal

Answer: (B)

A high SWR means a poor match between the transmitter, feedline, and antenna, so a sizable portion of the power is reflected back toward the transmitter. When the ratio is 2:1 or worse, this reflected power is substantial, which reduces the power actually delivered to the antenna and can stress the transmitter over time. The practical fix is to re-tune the antenna (adjust its length or position) or troubleshoot the entire antenna system to bring the impedance back to a proper match. Some gear includes protections that limit power if reflections are high, but the key action is to improve the match rather than rely on a shutdown or any boost. The receiver isn’t directly involved here, so it doesn’t reject the signal due to SWR on the transmitter side.

A high SWR means a poor match between the transmitter, feedline, and antenna, so a sizable portion of the power is reflected back toward the transmitter. When the ratio is 2:1 or worse, this reflected power is substantial, which reduces the power actually delivered to the antenna and can stress the transmitter over time. The practical fix is to re-tune the antenna (adjust its length or position) or troubleshoot the entire antenna system to bring the impedance back to a proper match. Some gear includes protections that limit power if reflections are high, but the key action is to improve the match rather than rely on a shutdown or any boost. The receiver isn’t directly involved here, so it doesn’t reject the signal due to SWR on the transmitter side.