SWR meter with no instructions(!)

[davidjn]

I have bought a Zetagi (Italy) SWR meter through Ebay and have tried to use this applying
the general instructions given on various internet webpages, e.g.
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/foundation/html/f5-1-7.htm
as there were no instructions with the meter.
Unfortunately, there is no mention on the meter of any of the terms mentioned in internet
SWR articles, e.g., FWD, CAL, REF or SWR but only 'SET' and 'ROS': there is also a dial.
(it also has 'mod102' on the casing with TRAS and ANT for the antenna and radio
connections).
The meter window starts at 0 watt and goes up to 3 when the color changes to red
and then goes on up to 30
I have connected the meter up to my set (YAESU FT-2800M 2m FM Mobile/Base Ham
Radio) and pretuned antenna, and the meter needle never moves from 1 Watt, no
matter how much I change the dial. There is no mention of CAL or any other marking
that appears to be for calibration on the meter window.

I am, as will be gathered(!), wholly new to this subject: I have not attended any courses
as I am housebound although I am trying to understand the subject from books and
internet.
At this time, I do not intend transmitting and obtaining a license: I just want to understand
the basics.

Can anyone help with this SWR meter please? Many thanks.

David

[davidjn]

PS.
I've found a picture of the meter I am asking about:
http://www.sharman-multicom.co.uk/data/shop/preview/300x600/MTR-102.jpg

David

[M0TTB]

In a way, I'm hoping you don't realise that you have to transmit to get an swr reading on a standard swr meter such as this one.... otherwise, it sounds as if you have actually been transmitting.
When you come to get your licence, the procedure on an swr meter is to transmit in fm mode, have this particular swr meter with the switch set to 'set' position, then rotate the knob whilst transmitting until the needle on the meter is lined up with the very last mark on the scale... then put the switch to ROS and you read the swr on the upper scale.

In truth, with an off the shelf 2m antenna, swr should not be an issue.

Please hang on until you get your licence, forget about swr for now.... it will come together after you have had some tuition.

[M6AEI]

Thats a 27Mhz (11m) SWR meter, no use to man or beast for 2m

[m0bov]

If you've never done any radio I would suggest maybe getting a cheap CB and CB aerial and playing with that. Tinkering with a 2M rig is an expensive way into the hobby if you blow it. I'd suggest getting a scanner to see what you can pick up and keep the 2M rig for when you get your ticket.

[M0TTB]

Thats a 27Mhz (11m) SWR meter, no use to man or beast for 2m

Seeing that it was made by Zetagi famed for cheap cb bits, that was my first thought... but the specs for that particular model is 3-200mhz, so it's ok.

[M0TZO]

Moved to Accessories section as not about the Yaesu radio he has.