Pigpen,
you are being given good advice here, but let me take a guess as to what is happening with your system.
im wondering if you are checking/ setting the SWR correctly, so im going to explain how to do it. if you already know then no harm done.
the SWR meter does not do any actual tuning of the system, the ONLY thing it does is tell you how well your antenna is matched to the radio.
the SWR meter in the radio will work just fine for checking the SWR and also for setting the SWR. im not sure why people think that the internal meters dont work as well as the external ones. they are built the exact same way. ok but I did notice a change when using the external meter vs the built in ??
first, set the switch to the CAL position. turn the dynamike knob all the way to the left (CCW).
set the radio to channel 1.
key the microphone and turn the SWR CAL knob until the needle of the meter sits right on the little arrow marked CAL.
now switch the switch to the SWR position.
key the mic, and read the meter.
there are two scales on the meter. one is for incoming signal strength.
this is the scale that reads 1-3-5-7-9-+30, or something like that.
the ONLY thing that scale is meant for is a relative reading of the strength of an incoming signal. (more on that later)
the other scale is the SWR scale, and it probably reads 1-2-3 or something like that.
now, with the mic keyed, using the SWR scale, your reading should be no higher than a 2. preferably less than that, but anything less than 2 is ok.
make a note of the reading on channel 1.
now go to channel 40 and repeat the process. yes, you will have to re-calibrate the meter each time you check the SWR on a different channel.
make a note of the reading on channel 40.
if the reading on channel 40 is higher than the reading on channel 1, then your antenna is too long and needs to be shortened a bit. (start with about 1/4 inch increments)
if the reading on 40 is lower than the reading on 1, then the antenna is too short, and needs to be lengthened a bit.
that should settle the SWR confusion if there was any.
now for the "9 watt" deadkey.
any chance you read that "9" off of the radio's internal meter?yes I am. Is there a way to tell DK power on internal meter?
yep, thats right, you read the receive scale and since the needle moved to the "9" on that scale, you took that as your wattage output.
your radio is probably putting out about 3.5 to 4 watts, and the needle may move a tiny bit when you talk, but not much at all.
lastly, how did you mount your antenna and where? yes but as far left as possible with about 2 feet above cab with a spring and quick disconnect. I do have a 102" whip I could try, but my last test on highway yeilded a 5 mile range loud and clear, could probably have gotten farther, considering I'll also use mine off road with hunting buddies I didn't want to go mag mount on roof and had enough trouble convincing myself to drill into bed rail much less roof
you didnt mount it right behind the cab on the bed rail did you?
if so, its not going to work that great, but will still reach the truckers around you on the highway if thats your goal.
good luck,
LC
