Is it my dummy load, my SWR or am I just a dummy :)

Hi All

First post (other than my intro) - thought I would put in general chat as this must be a basic mistake or misunderstanding on my behalf. Setting up some gear for the first time in decades.

CRT SS 9900 (CB channels et al)
Sirio Gain Master 5/8 (now installed)
RG 213 coax
SM-30 HAM power supply
DL 50 dummy load
OPEK SWR-3

Thought I would go straight for a test so wired it all up with the SWR in place - using one of two patch cables I have (continuity checked).  The 5/8 coax connected correctly to the SWR.  Selected channel 20 (checked was clear).  OPEK in SWR mode. Switched to FWD, set dial full left.  OK here we go. Keyed mic, TX showing on radio etc. Then start to move set dial to the right. Nothing. No movement at all. 

Switched SM-30 over to current mode. During TX, drawing current (a few amps) which I expected. Hmmmm

So I switch the OPEK to power mode. Key the mic and bingo! The dial moves to the right 'expected place'. Very briefly altered the power and the numbers I was getting were as expected.  So I am thinking either the SWR part of the OPEK is not working, or the Gain Master / coax has a problem. Back in SWR mode I flipped the switch to REF and keyed mic - nothing (so nothing either forward or reflected).

So unplugged Gain Master coax and put in the second patch lead (also checked continuity). Plugged into DL-50 dummy load. Repeated the above. THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. Nothing on the SWR (during setting or reflected) - is that not a bit strange for a dummy load?!  When the OPEK was switched to power mode the usual and expected power values were seen on the OPEK. 

OK - I cannot rule out a problem with the gain master / coax (yet).  I have not tested the coax on its own (silly me). If I check continuity over the middle and outside of the coax PL-259 I do get continuity (which for the Gain Master is to be expected  - so I read at least earlier - something about DC grounded). So the only way to check the cable is to bring the antenna down and take the cable off (NO!!!!!!).

However, the test failed with the dummy load as well - so there is no proof (yet) that the antenna or wiring is a problem. As I said earlier - have power on the OPEK and in all the right places. Have current draw on keying.  So I think the radio is OK.

So ...  what do you think? Is this a (part) faulty OPEK SWR-3 ?   I even read that some SWR units have been wired the wrong way around (!) - so I did try and set in "REF" and measure in "FWD".  As expected - nothing. 

Sorry for such a long post for what I suspect is a quick answer (dump the OPEK) - but I wanted to lay out the detail so I have not missed anything.

cheers

Mark

Please accept my apologies first mate but your post is a info overload for me to understand,  first of are you trying to measure your SWR ?, if so that is simple another thing forget about your dummy load it's used for something else ,OK do you have your set as follows  ,radio patch lead in to transceiver side of SWR meter  then antenna in antenna side of SWR meter this is how it should be ,then if the radio a variable wattage set it at 5watts then press the mic and set the SWR to SET then let go of the mic switch the SWR meter to REF then press mic again and then you can see what the SWR is if you use more power just repeat what you have done to see if the SWR is staying the same
Hope this has help if not try and just say what your trying to in simple terms mate

EDIT OK mate just read through your post again and now I get what your saying (forgive me I'm slightly dyslexic so it took me a couple of reads) if you have tried all test what you siad you have done I would say it's a faulty meter by your description

Yo Nubster

Soz, was just trying to give full picture    Anyway,  done exactly what you said - as I said above, on SET mode there is no movement at all when keying the mic, whatever position I turn the knob (and whatever power is used). The only reason I mentioned dummy load was to see if I could get the SWR to do "anything" by taking my coax / antenna out of the mix.   Mark.

Mark read the edit in my post mate

Might be a daft question but you do have it set on AM or FM when trying ???.

Alan Pilot wrote:

Might be a daft question but you do have it set on AM or FM when trying ???.

Ah yes good point Alan forgot to ask him that 
Mark if your trying to do it on SSB you cant check SWR on SSB  mate

NUBSTER wrote:

Alan Pilot wrote:

Might be a daft question but you do have it set on AM or FM when trying ???.

Ah yes good point Alan forgot to ask him that 
Mark if your trying to do it on SSB you cant check SWR on SSB  mate

Thanks Both...  Tried everything (ha!) - but seriously, on FM     Nubster, seen the edit, thanks. 

One thing - I have found the SWR settings on the radio (instructions are not great, YouTube was my friend). Not sure how accurate it is, but says 1.0 - if I can believe it then fine, but it is the same at C1 and C40 which is a little sus. But even if it is a rough and ready measure, at least I am not going to blow anything up...   Very very quite on the UK 40 so it seems (I am in Berkshire). 

Thanks for your help! 

Mark

Very very quite everywhere at the moment Mark.
Some in the bigger towns might have more activity but nothing like it was.
Off back in the house too cold out in the shack even with the heater on lol.