I have a radio shack trc 446 CB has a built in SWR meter i dont know how to calibrate? iv read websites but im?

SWR - Standing wave ratio is a measurment for how well an antenna is matched to the transceiver. If there is a mismatch, some of the transmitter output power will get reflected back from the antenna and if excessive will burnout the transmitters output circuit. SWR matching was very critical for the small fractional wavelenght antennas (magnetic mount for example) To use the SWR meter switc was set to FWD the mic keyed and the calknob adusted to zeo the meter. Then the SWR switch was switched to reverse and the mike keyed again and the reading taken. An SWR of 4:1 or less is the goal with a perfect match as 1:1. At 1:1 all of the available power is being transmitted. If the SWR is 4:1 or more then the antenna has to be tuned.

SWR - Standing wave ratio is a measurment for how well an antenna is matched to the transceiver. If there is a mismatch, some of the transmitter output power will get reflected back from the antenna and if excessive will burnout the transmitters output circuit. SWR matching was very critical for the small fractional wavelenght antennas (magnetic mount for example) To use the SWR meter switc was set to FWD the mic keyed and the calknob adusted to zeo the meter. Then the SWR switch was switched to reverse and the mike keyed again and the reading taken. An SWR of 4:1 or less is the goal with a perfect match as 1:1. At 1:1 all of the available power is being transmitted. If the SWR is 4:1 or more then the antenna has to be tuned.

set your cb to cal and go to channel 20...ok key the mic and set the needle to the calibration mark. then switch to swr and key the mic. it shouldn't read more than 3 and that's on the extremely high side. ok next go to channel 40 and repeat the process the swr's should the same or lower than they were on 20. now for the complicated part. go to channel 1...you'll need to look at your antenna box for this if you didn't buy francis antennas which don't have to be calibrated but anything else for the most part does and it's not fun. so if you don't have francis antennas you'll have to read the instructions on the box. but anyway once again the swr's shouldn't be above 3. and i believe 1/4 inch is to be cut off if the swr's are higher on 1 than they are on 40 but i can't remember you'll have to read up on that due to the fact that i can't tell you. my advise there would be to buy yourself some francis 4 1/2 foot antennas which are pretuned at 1.5 swr so you don't have to calibrate the antennas and go through all the cutting bs. basicaly the higher the swr the less chance you have at getting out. and anything over 3 can damage the radio over time so i'd get it checked out by a truck driver or a cb shop if you can't get it figured out. my 29 runs 1.7 on 19 and i get out about 3 1/2-4 miles most of the time depending on the terrain that's in my pickup and the galaxy in my pete...well let's not get into that one...let's just say it'll reach pretty close to 350 miles...the amp wasn't cheap either and it's illegal. but that's how to calibrate your swr's good luck. i'd recommend those antennas though they're great and i have no complaints at all about them.

Assuming that the radios in good working order. It should work fine. Yes, it’s the same thing. You’re tuning the carrier wave to the antenna. Make sure your antenna base is grounded properly.