Hello, all shortwave radio enthusiasts! Today I want to share with you my observations on the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) for various shortwave antennas on the 70cm/2m band.
Key Indicators for Shortwave Antennas
The optimal performance of our radio equipment depends on the correct selection of an antenna. One of the key indicators here is SWR, which allows us to assess how much energy is reflected back to the transmitter, rather than being emitted by the antenna. The lower the SWR, the better.
Tested Shortwave Antennas
As part of my tests, I focused on several antennas that are popular among shortwave operators. I used the original UV-5K antenna, Retevis RHD-771, ABBREE 108cm (in two configurations: extended and folded) and the car antenna NAGOYA UT-108.
SWR Measurement Results
- Original UV-5K Antenna:
- 145.600MHz – SWR: 2.9
- 438.000MHz – SWR: 1.29
- 446.000MHz – SWR: 1.22
- Retevis RHD-771:
- 145.600MHz – SWR: 2.28
- 438.000MHz – SWR: 1.26
- 446.000MHz – SWR: 1.35
- ABBREE 108cm (Extended / Folded):
- 145.600MHz – SWR: 1.17 / 2.74
- 438.000MHz – SWR: 1.33 / 1.45
- 446.000MHz – SWR: 1.35 / 1.51
- Car Antenna – NAGOYA UT-108:
- 145.600MHz – SWR: 1.08
- 438.000MHz – SWR: 1.03
- 446.000MHz – SWR: 1.16
Test Conclusions
The observed differences show how different antennas can significantly affect the efficiency of our radio system. Here we can see that the car antenna NAGOYA UT-108 provides the lowest SWR on all tested frequencies, which means the highest efficiency of power radiation. On the other hand, the original UV-5K antenna provides the highest SWR at 145.600MHz, which suggests it may not be optimal for this frequency.
It’s worth noting that the ABBREE 108cm antenna, despite its universal use, shows significant differences in SWR depending on whether it is extended or folded. This observation shows how important it is to properly adjust the antenna to the specific application and operating conditions.
I hope these results will be useful for you! Remember, a good antenna is the basis for effective radio communication. Happy DXing!