2 meter jpole question

[kc2sgi]

i am goingto build a j pole for my 2 meter rig and i do not have a swr meter buti do have a volt ohm meter is it possible to tune the antenna with the volt ohm neter ? and if so, how?

 

[n5ims]

i am goingto build a j pole for my 2 meter rig and i do not have a swr meter buti do have a volt ohm meter is it possible to tune the antenna with the volt ohm neter ? and if so, how?

No a VOM (Volt Ohm Multimeter) will not work as a substitute for a SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) Meter. The SWR Meter has components that detect the signals going out and others that detect the signals coming back in and displays the ratio of those two values. They also work on different frequency ranges. A VOM works on DC and 60 Hz AC signals while a SWR Meter works on signals in the MHz range. Be aware that a SWR Meter often has a defined frequency range it will work on (many also specify what power range it will accurately read as well) so you'll need a SWR Meter that will work on the 140 - 144 MHz range (you'll get inaccurate readings, at best, if you use one that doesn't include that frequency range).

 

[mmckenna]

SWR meters are difficult to replace in an instance like this. While building an antenna, you can measure everything down to the micron, double check, measure again, use 5 different calculators measure a 3rd time. When it comes down to it, it's 49% measuring, 51% witchcraft. You need a proper SWR meter to to figure out if the flavor of witchcraft you are using is correct.