Resonance Is Bliss: The Cult of the Perfect Match

A Satirical Dip Into the Mythology of SWR Worship and RF Enlightenment

Welcome, fellow RF pilgrim, to the sacred temple of SWR = 1:1. Sit, ground yourself (safety first), and prepare to be enlightened. For today, we explore the holy grail of the ham radio world: Resonance.

Yes, that mythical state where all things align — electrons flow effortlessly, your tuner sleeps soundly, and the spirits of Maxwell and Marconi high-five above your shack. In this state, as every forum guru will assure you, no RF is ever lost, your coffee tastes better, and your partner finally understands why you drilled that hole through the roof.

But beware!

Stray from the path of resonance, and hell awaits:

• SWR above 2? The Devil himself has entered your coax.
• Use a tuner? Blasphemy! You’re not transmitting, you're radiating shame.
• Work a non-resonant antenna? Sacrilege! Your RF now powers only streetlights and toaster ovens.

The Sacred Scrolls of Resonance

According to the Book of Hammy Chapter 1, Verse 1:

"In the beginning was the dipole, and it was center-fed, and it was good. And lo, its impedance was 73 ohms, and the match was perfect."

But then came the Fall: someone added a balun. Then a 4:1. Then a tuner. Then 30 metres of RG58. Soon the garden was full of EFHWs, mystery antennas, and 5:1 SWRs. The RF gods were angered, and thus came the age of tuner wars.

The Church of Coaxalot

At Sunday nets, the faithful gather to chant:

"Resonance is truth. SWR is life. All others shall be tuned or cast into the dummy load."

Deacons of this church wear robes embroidered with Smith charts and carry relics — golden SO-239s, worn-out MFJ analysers, and the sacred scroll of ARRL’s Antenna Book (1992 edition only — the last "pure" one).

If your antenna is not resonant, fear not — simply lie.
Tell them it is. Say “I trimmed it for the low end of the band.”
They will nod, respect restored.

Heretics and the Path of Noise

Then there are the heretics — those who speak of radiation resistance, current distribution, and efficiency over SWR. They build 13-metre verticals with matching networks and say blasphemous things like:

"Resonance isn’t everything."
"I prefer a low take-off angle."
"A 3:1 match is just fine with my amp."
"I use a 4:1 UNUN and a choke. Works great."

And God forbid... they manipulated the current taper.

These witches are to be burned — but only with clean flame, lest we detune the fire.

The Final Ascension

In the end, the goal of every operator is clear:
To reach Resonant Nirvana. That perfect state where the analyser shows a flat line, the gods smile, and your logbook overflows with DX.

Until then, keep trimming. Keep tuning. Keep believing.
And remember: if your SWR is 1:1, it doesn’t matter if the antenna is in a tree, a trash bin, or a dog’s collar — you are one with the RF.

Because in ham radio, resonance is bliss.

Disclaimer: No actual hams were harmed during the satire. Except maybe that one guy with the 13-metre vertical and 30 metres of coax... you know who you are.

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