What is a good SWR reading?

What is a good SWR reading?

• A. 1.5:1 or better (perfect is 1:1)
• B. 2:1
• C. 3:1
• D. 0.5:1

Answer: (A)

SWR tells you how well the transmitter is matched to the feed line and how much power is reflected back. When the line and the antenna impedance match perfectly, there’s no reflection and SWR is 1:1. As mismatch grows, more energy reflects, and the SWR rises, meaning less power actually gets to the antenna. A reading around 1.5:1 is considered good because it indicates only a small amount of power is reflected (about 4%), with most energy still reaching the antenna. Higher values, like 2:1 or 3:1, show increasingly poor matches and more wasted power, which can stress the transmitter and reduce radiated power. The 0.5:1 reading isn’t a valid SWR value, since SWR is defined as the ratio of the larger to the smaller voltage along the line and is always 1:1 or greater. So the best choice is 1.5:1 or better, with 1:1 being the ideal.

SWR tells you how well the transmitter is matched to the feed line and how much power is reflected back. When the line and the antenna impedance match perfectly, there’s no reflection and SWR is 1:1. As mismatch grows, more energy reflects, and the SWR rises, meaning less power actually gets to the antenna.

A reading around 1.5:1 is considered good because it indicates only a small amount of power is reflected (about 4%), with most energy still reaching the antenna. Higher values, like 2:1 or 3:1, show increasingly poor matches and more wasted power, which can stress the transmitter and reduce radiated power. The 0.5:1 reading isn’t a valid SWR value, since SWR is defined as the ratio of the larger to the smaller voltage along the line and is always 1:1 or greater. So the best choice is 1.5:1 or better, with 1:1 being the ideal.