Metal coil antenna vibration help needed

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by biged169, May 17, 2011.

  1. biged169

    biged169 Light Load Member

    77
    20
    Sep 9, 2010
    Salem, Or
    0
    I just bought a new k40 metal coil antenna and this thing vibrates so bad between 25 and 40 mph that it sounds like a tuning fork on steroids, once i get above 40 mph the noise goes away. Anyone have a solution on how to stop this?
     
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  3. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    Apparently its mass and length make it resonant at either the speed of the air over it at those road speeds, or it's resonating with vibrations in the vehicle at the engine/transmission speed required to move you at 25-40 mph. Since you can't arbitrarily change the length if it's tuned correctly now, you can experiment with either some manner of air dam to change the airflow over or around the antenna, or you can put a weight with a set screw on the whip at some height that will damp out the vibrations.
    The lower you can put the weight, of course, the less effect its wind drag will impart to the antenna. And a couple of extra ounces along the length shouldn't really affect the antenna's tuning or SWR.
    Easiest fix might be to just move where the antenna is mounted, but then all my science stuff will have been wasted ;)

    Either that, or something else. <---- Handlebar's Universal Disclaimer&#174; (Handlebar Enterprises, 1981)
     
  4. biged169

    biged169 Light Load Member

    77
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    Sep 9, 2010
    Salem, Or
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    The whip isn't the problem, it's the big coil that is putting out all the vibration noise. I called k40 and they said i should use one of their gumdrop mounts to stop it. Do you think that might help?
     
  5. handlebar

    handlebar Heavy Load Member

    I don't know how you've determined that the coil is putting out all the vibration noise. I'll go along with the idea that the coil is making most of the noise, but it's stil the whip that's vibrating and carrying those vibrations.
    But if you wish to discount the physics, then by all means, buy their mount. Remember, though, that the mount only holds the end of the whip, not the coil itself. Were they able to explain to your satisfaction how buying another of their products will solve the problem when the piece it holds is ...... the whip?
     
  6. biged169

    biged169 Light Load Member

    77
    20
    Sep 9, 2010
    Salem, Or
    0
    I can look at it going down the road and see what is making all the noise. The whip is hardly moving at all, but the coil is vibrating like crazy and if you reach out and touch it it feels like an electric shock it's vibrating so bad. I didn't ask how buying something else would help because i figured it was a bunch of b.s.. I stuck a couple of rubber snubber end off broken ones in between the spaces on the coil and that seemed to help, but would rather find a more permanent solution.
     
  7. jugganaut

    jugganaut Bobtail Member

    47
    6
    May 6, 2011
    holy,denial
    0
    naw just wad up a snot rag and put it between 2 of the helicals that wil danmpen it thats what i done...
     
  8. biged169

    biged169 Light Load Member

    77
    20
    Sep 9, 2010
    Salem, Or
    0
    That's what i basically did with the bungy ends, seems to be working so far.
     
  9. jugganaut

    jugganaut Bobtail Member

    47
    6
    May 6, 2011
    holy,denial
    0
    gude 2 go git r dun
     
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