cb antenna problem

Are you getting antenna light? That could possibly be you need new coax.

 

What are you trying to put this in? You tuned the swr correct? I'm not talking about just turning the knob?

 

I would get rid of all the grounds and just use the mount as a ground. Also check the ground to the radio as well. That can sometimes cause this problem.

 

You mentioned "box"; tool box? If so forget it, you will never get a good rf ground mounting a antenna on a tool box. At least I've never been able to. There is a difference between a simple electrical ground, which can be perfect, and a rf ground which can be non-existent at the same time. Electrical ground is simple to correct, rf ground is not so easy. And if you are trying to develop one, you should be using braided grounding straps for best results. Your problem sounds exactly like the lack of a rf ground. Mount the antenna somewhere else, like through the roof of the pick-up, works good every time! Magnet mount antennas are good for temporary installations. The metal will rust under the magnet if you leave it in place all the time. You will scratch the paint if you remove it after every use. Then there is the coax to deal with. Drill a hole in the roof and be done with it.

 

To answer your question, either a Wilson 1000 or 5000 will work but the 5000 is an overkill IMO unless you're running 20 kW of power or you don't like RG8A/U coax.

A magnet mount will work but for best results, hard mount it. You can buy a Wilson 1000 roof mount which uses the same guts as the 1000 mag mount, the difference is you drill a hole in the cab roof and it comes with seals and such to keep the water out.

Since you said this is going on your pickup truck, if you don't mind running a 9 ft antenna I strongly prefer the 102 whip with 6 inch barrel spring from Radioshack...or the 108 whip from MFJ....either of these, albeit tall, will get you out and let you hear like nothing else.

One other thing....check your coax and ensure there's not a short between the center lead and the outer lead....that will surely make your SWR go up, no matter what.

 

Another advantage to the Wilson, you can unscrew it and remove it when you need to. A plastic cap comes with it to screw on when the antenna is removed. I don't worry about a hole in the roof effecting resale value because it won't. Now if you do that to your Caddy or something that might be different. They make a rubber plug for the hole should you sell the vehicle or remove the antenna.

No doubt the 102" steel whip is the best. No better than my bed is bonded to the truck however.....I learned this by trying to first mount an antenna on the tool box, and then the bed,...... I'm not sure one would work any better than my Wilson 1000 in the center of the roof does. I know that the 102" would work well if mounted through the roof or on the front bumper or fender on my particular vehicle (2000 GMC Sonoma xcab), but that is not a desirable mounting location IMO.