HELP PLEASE - My SWR is "WAY TOO HIGH"

[RABYRAMS]

I have installed a New Cobra 29LTD Classic.
Got Power to it, and Antenna.

1) I calibrate the Mic by Flipping the Switch to CAL and Holding in the Talk Button... I then Turn the CAL Dial so that the Needle Lines up with the CAL <arrow> on the Meter.

2) While Still Holding the Talk Button - I switch it to SWR ..
the Needles Stays on the Far Right of the Meter... in some cases even moves a little Further Right than the CAL <arrow>

Its supposed to be Below 2.0 - But even at 3 im sure i could make the adjustments to get it down lower --- But way on the right side of the meter tells me that the problem must be Much more than just antenna Lenght.

[jlightning]

Take a SWR meeter and put that in line. Don't go by the meeter on the radio.

Then take a SWR reading on Channel 1
take a reading on channel 20
Then again on channel 40

Then give us the readings, You will need to shorten , or raise you antenna.

Did you make sure your Coax is connected tightly?

[jlightning]

And is your antenna getting a good ground?

[Turbo-T]

+1 use an external meter and make sure the antenna is grounded properly.

[jlightning]

Any update [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. ?

[FriedTater]

What is the radio installed "IN" ?
Is the antenna "NEW" ? (untuned)

[Brickhauler]

First, if the SWR is that high don't try talking on it until you get the reading down. You might hurt the radio. The first thing I would do is check and make sure the coax is ok and not pinched or cut. You might even try using an ohm meter and make sure the wire is good and not shorted out or broken inside someplace. Next look at the mount and be sure the nylon washer is in the right place on the mount and its not grounding out. Also like the others said, what kind of antenna and mount and what is in in?

[RABYRAMS]

Thanks for this info - i will keep yall posted once i can try out all the above suggestions.. im dealing with a Power Supply Problem now, it keeps blowing the fuse as soon as i install it so ill have to figure out my power wiring 1st before i can go any further into investigation the Antenna/Coax problem.

[RABYRAMS]

Ford F-250 Pickup.

Antenna is a Magnet Mount Barjan / Impulse

[Gadfly]

OF course, check polarity of the hookup. Most CB sets have red (+) and black (-) power leads. Make sure the power cable isn't cut or pinched in a door! Remove the antenna itself, check for a "short" circuit in the antenna cable (mount, then PL 259 connector that screws on) I assume there's a "loading" coil at the base or center. If there is a "base" loading coil, remove the antenna as I said lest you have an apparent short. Check to see that that cable isn't "pinched" in a door. Make sure the coax isn't broken in two (slamming it in a door) inside.
Have you made adjustments to the whip yet to see if it makes a difference? THAT IS the way to set SWR, not by trimming coax length.
Let us know what you find!

GF