SWR setting problems

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by redmule, Jan 2, 2010.

  1. redmule

    redmule Bobtail Member

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    Jan 2, 2010
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    Hey!

    New Cobra 29 ltd bt CB for christmas! Mounted unit in my Ford Excursion for now, installed cigarette power supply, hooked up "Lil Wil" rooftop mount antenna. I cannot seem to get SWR adjustments in line.

    Based on my research I made several adjustments but to no avail. As I cannot get the readings in line the manual suggests a longer wip. I'm surprised as I thought with the excursions big roof I'd be okay with a 32" wip.

    Any suggestions would be great. Thanks for the help. Happy New Year!
     
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  3. cherokeechief

    cherokeechief Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2009
    Gilson, il
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    are you using the swr meter in the cb radio, or are you using a seperate swr meter in line?
    the meter on the radio is not accurate.
    and using a cheap antenna, like others have said you get what you pay for.
     
  4. squirrellsgnwild

    squirrellsgnwild Medium Load Member

    what is your swr on 1 and also on 40. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If the lowest SWR reading occurs on channel 1, the antenna whip is to long and must be shortened. if you lower it all the way into the mast and its still too long then it must be shortened by cutting it 1/8, replacing whip and testing the swr again.

    If your highest swr reading occurs on ch 40 then you have lack of a ground plane and need a 66" whip

    [/FONT]
    [/FONT]
     
  5. redmule

    redmule Bobtail Member

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    Jan 2, 2010
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    Thank for the info.

    I am using the in-radio meter - I have read that an in line meter will be more accurate but I figured the in-radio meter would at least get me close.

    I don't believe the Wilson Antenna is a "cheap" antenna but i do agree I could go with a different (and more expensive) model. I did want to stay somewhat low key with the whip hieght but it sounds as though the Mod 1000 with a little longer whip may be the answer.
     
  6. squirrellsgnwild

    squirrellsgnwild Medium Load Member

    I have had the Lil Wil before on my Trailblazer and had to do some cutting of the antenna to get an swr of 1.5 across. I recently upgraded to a K40 Mag mount which is 58" and didnt have to tune antenna. the swr is at 1 on ch 40 and 1.3 on ch 1
     
  7. Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

    1,953
    702
    May 31, 2009
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    The built in meters are crap and really only get you a mediocre ball park figure.

    Best bet is to spend $50 on a good SWR meter...then set the antenna dead center of the truck and park the truck away from buildings trees and especially metal light poles and other metal objects...close the doors, key up and calibrate the meter to work with your antenna, then flip it to SWR, key up and take a reading. Adjust the antenna until channel 1 and channel 40 are about the same swr.

    You should get an SWR of 1.5:1 or lower if everything is good. What are your SWR's now?

    A Wilson 1000 is a better antenna than a Lil Wil but the Lil Wil is an ok antenna. It certainly is better than those 2 inch cell phone antennas that people wonder why they can't get out past 1/2 a mile. :biggrin_2559:
     
    squirrellsgnwild Thanks this.
  8. squirrellsgnwild

    squirrellsgnwild Medium Load Member

    how is the lil wil cheap??? That is the second best MAGNET antenna next to the #1 K40 Magnet and the Wilson 1000 or 5000

    but it looks so cool. no one would ever suspect that they have a cb radio in their car.
     
  9. redmule

    redmule Bobtail Member

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    0
    Jan 2, 2010
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    If I set the whip to bottom SRW was above 3 on channel 1 & 40. It seemed a bit lower on channel 40 so I raised the whip and only got a little change. Even with it all the way to the top it was lower but still above 3. I'm wondering if anything else could be the cause such as lack of grounding or the fact I'm using the cigarette lighter for power.

    It sounds as though many users have hed good luck with this antenna so I'm wondering why its so off for me.... Starting to think theres another issue.

    I think I will spend sometime insuring proper grounding and directly connecting power supply.
     
  10. Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

    1,953
    702
    May 31, 2009
    0
    How long is the whip? I ask because the whips are trimmable, and if someone trimmed too much off at the end, that would cause your SWR's to go up.

    Also using the improper whip will make the SWR's go up. A Lil Wil should have a 36 inch whip. If someone grabbed a 62 inch whip off of a Wilson 1000 and stuck it in there, the SWR's would go up.

    The cigg lighter doesn't affect the SWR's. A high SWR means for some reason the outgoing signals are being sent back down into the antenna....which could be caused by reflect of waves off of something such as a building, or it could be an issue in the coax or if the whip is not the right length for the frequency used, etc.

    Another question I have for you....did you calibrate the meter to work with the antenna correctly? If not that would make the SWR's look high. And also when you key up is the meter pegged or does it stop at 3?
     
  11. squirrellsgnwild

    squirrellsgnwild Medium Load Member

    well if your antenna across all ch is above 3 you have lack of grounding. try moving antenna to a different spot on your car. you might even wanna try directly in the middle of the car.
     
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