but didn't want to spring the $$ for an SWR meter I'd only use once or twice.
Wooooa there Hoss
If you spend a dime on any test equipment it would be the SWR meter that should be the 1st tool in the shed.
You just got your license, your making a antennas.... me thinks there will be a trend here.
Seriously, I can say that without an SWR meter I'd be lost tracking down problems. Yep, it may just sit around but when you need one you'll have one. I also have an antenna analyzer I bought years ago for testing HF wire antennas and setting up yagi's. Yes it sits around but those two pieces of gear are the only two I need to get my antenna work accomplished. Buy a good one when you get around to it. I prefere the Diawa,Diamond or Yaesu SWR/power meters. Bird is the best but $$$$$$$$
Trust me, you will accumulate a lot of radio "stuff" from here on out.
You'll find me on the roof doing antenna work myself this weekend, your welcome to come on over.
