SWR without myths — what it says and what it does not

SWR measures match, not antenna quality. Forward and reflected waves, VSWR, return loss, dummy-load counterexamples and cable-loss effects on readings.

Last updated Sep 23, 2026

Sources

ITU-T G.117 — return loss and reflection factor (verified excerpt)
ITU-T
ITU-R BS.1195-1 — VSWR as a mismatch parameter, not a radiation-quality metric
ITU-R
ITU-R P.341 / RR — power supplied to the antenna is after the feedline
ITU-R / ITU
Verified VSWR identities (application KnowledgeRfMath)
E74BYZ KnowledgeRfMath