Most meters either in the transmitter or external show a red warning at 3 to 
1 and that level there is a significant loss in transmitted signal strength. 
There are tables and  formulas that address that question.  For example, 1.5 
to 1 is a 4 percent loss., while 2 to 1 is more than 10 percent loss.  If 
you can't adjust the antenna for a better SWR, use a transmatch to protect 
the rig and make it happy.  You will most likely not make the antenna 
perform any better.

Hope this helps.

73
Bob
KC3FI

EchoLink Node - 55127
Please visit http://www.wan-leatonks.net.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 10:48 AM
Subject: What is the highest safe swr?


> Hi list.
> What is the highest safe SWR?
> The reason I ask is, when on 20 meters for example, I tune my SWR to 1.0 =
> to 1, I get 700 watts out of my amp.
> When I have an SWR of 2.0 to 1 I get 1000 watts.
> I don't want to hurt anything, so I thought I'd ask here.
> Thanks in advance, 7 3.