Lower SWR = Better performance – Not always.
Take for example a 1/4 wave vertical ground mounted with one ground rod, no radials
the SWR will be very low what most consider a nice match
However, the energy will mostly be going into the earth
add 30 radials or more and the SWR will actually climb
as the new feed point impedance is closer to 30 ohms versus 49 ohms
Solution and a small matching network
Your ability to work many more stations will improve over the simple antenna with a low SWR
Moral of the story is SWR does NOT mean Everything
Understand the effects of Ground loss when it comes to Vertical antennas
Cheers!
Steve KG5VK