Ok now play around with the tip length. You can just do the test on channel 20.
CB SWR level is extremely high
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
OP
Ahhh, watching that video from Right Channel Radios they made it seem like you needed to do the test on channel 1, then channel 40, and then compare the difference.
Also, does it matter that I am doing this in my garage? If it helps, we live in a very rural area with not much around, but we are in a neighborhood if that makes a difference.
Going to play around with the tip length now. I'll report back shortly.
@Chris
I would maybe park in the street. Also get in and close the door when you test it. You will most likely get a better reading with the tip on now and extended some.
Yes, it matters a lot. You need to find an open space (at least 20 ft around, more would be better though).
OP
Okay, I just played around with it and on channel 20 I got the SWR to read 1. On channel 1 and 40 it reads 1.25.
OP
Okay, that gives me something to do tomorrow when the little one is napping.
I'll go out into the desert tomorrow. 100 feet from my house is open country for as far as the eye can see.
But given these findings, it would seem my issue isn't ground related, it's related to that coil spring?
It's related to the height of the antenna. If you are getting 1 to 1.25 you are set.
OP
Just to be certain I am going to go out tomorrow and make sure everything is still good.
I had no idea the height of the antenna could make that big of a difference. I thought this was a ground issue for sure.
@Chris If the SWR on channel 40 is higher than that on channel 1, your antenna is too long. If the SWR on channel 1 is higher than that on channel 40, your antenna is too short. I made you remove the tip to see how your numbers changed. By removing the coil we lowered it too much. Adding the tip on brought it to the right height.
OP
Now I just need to find a way to get that coil back on there so that if it gets caught on something, it doesn't rip my mount off.
I suspect that means I'll need a 2' Firestik antenna as oppose to 3'.
Can you mount it on the lower hinge of the Exogate? We would have to go through this again and it may not work.
OP
Yes, I could do that as well. I only mounted it up higher because I thought I had read something about the best place to mount an antenna was at the same height as the tub.
If it doesn't work out on the lower hinge they sell a firefly version which is a whip. No need for the coil and we know the height works now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AUJXLM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
OP
I think that's the same one I have now. It looks identical to mine at least.
I'm not actually 100% sure what a "whip" is to be honest.
Its flexible. There is a standard one which is ridged and would break if it got stuck on anything unless you add a coil to it.
OP
Okay, mine is the standard one then, but it looks identical to that one you linked to, hence my confusion. If I can’t make it work with the spring I will get the whip. The flexibility is nice since I’m certain at some point I’ll catch it on something.
Don't touch a thing it doesn't get any better than that.
I'm no fan of adding springs to antennas except in the most dire woodsy low hanging branches type circumstances. They just sway around excessively and bang into everything on an offroad trail. Not to mention they make it harder to tune antennas to a good low swr.
OP
Don't touch a thing it doesn't get any better than that.
I'm no fan of adding springs to antennas except in the most dire woodsy low hanging branches type circumstances. They just sway around excessively and bang into everything on an offroad trail. Not to mention they make it harder to tune antennas to a good low swr.
Are you just running a whip then Jerry? I only put the spring there because I am in the habit of forgetting to remove the antenna and always worried I am going to hit it on something and rip the mount off.
Yours is pretty inside and won’t likely break the mount off, @tworley had this not too long ago (last pic).
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tworley-build.10974/page-32#post-643096
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tworley-build.10974/page-32#post-643096
OP
Interesting! I would have thought it bent the mount but it looks like it broke his antenna instead. That's what I'd rather have happen.