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pulling my hair out !

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by breezrk, Jan 23, 2010.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jan 23, 2010 #1
    breezrk

    breezrk Bobtail Member

    23
    3
    Nov 11, 2009
    Maryland
    0
    Wife bought me a Uniden Pc68 for Christmas to put in my 4 wheeler. I bought a 4 foot firestick with the tunable tip.The first install attempt pegged me off the SWR meter. I then swithced the tenna to the corner of the bed rail on the passenger side.Still in the red. Did some checking, grounded the mount with 10 wire to the truck frame,that got me just below a reading of 3, but out of the dreaded red zone.Tried tuning the tip, the best I can get is an even reading of just below 3 on a 1,19 and 40 channel, with the tip extended at the max. Before that, I had to install a higher bracket to extend the tenna, to get the just below 3 reading. Any Ideas ?
     
    breezrk, Jan 23, 2010
    breezrk, Jan 23, 2010
    #1
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  3. Jan 23, 2010 #2
    WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

    3,324
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    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
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    Do you know anyone with a antenna analyzer ? like the MFJ one ?

    I use a noise bridge but it is a bit complex to use on a cb radio with one you can find just where that antenna is really tuned.
     
    WA4GCH, Jan 23, 2010
    WA4GCH, Jan 23, 2010
    #2
  4. Jan 23, 2010 #3
    squirrellsgnwild

    squirrellsgnwild Medium Load Member

    469
    51
    Jul 19, 2007
    In that nuthouse they call California
    0
    are you using in radio meter? if not i suggest getting an non in radio meter and checking again for the in radio ones arent made right these days
     
    squirrellsgnwild, Jan 23, 2010
    squirrellsgnwild, Jan 23, 2010
    #3
  5. Jan 23, 2010 #4
    FriedTater

    FriedTater Keeper of The Snakes

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    Mar 25, 2009
    United State of Texas
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    There seem to be a few things besides the SWR's outta whack . . . . . ?
    That 4' Fire Stick is literally a POS,not a personal opinion,but a fact!
    Spend some more duckets and get another antenna and make a better effort the next time out.
    Seriously ! 18' of solid copper wire wrapped around a stock car antenna will work far better then that 4' FireStick ever hoped for.


     
    FriedTater, Jan 23, 2010
    FriedTater, Jan 23, 2010
    #4
  7. Jan 24, 2010 #5
    breezrk

    breezrk Bobtail Member

    23
    3
    Nov 11, 2009
    Maryland
    0
    I don't have access to that meter and being a cb novice at best,I wouldn't know where to find someone with one. I'm using a meter with a jumper. I'm thinking maybe the ground,since the reading improved with the ground installed.maybe try a strap ground instead of the 10 guage wire. I'm ordering a quick disconnect to get a few inches higher,since I'm tapped out on the tuneable tip.
     
    breezrk, Jan 24, 2010
    breezrk, Jan 24, 2010
    #5
  8. Jan 24, 2010 #6
    squirrellsgnwild

    squirrellsgnwild Medium Load Member

    469
    51
    Jul 19, 2007
    In that nuthouse they call California
    0
    if ur swr is above 2(or 3 and you mentioned) on 1 and 40 it wont matter how much ya raise or lower the antenna. unless it is a ngp(no ground plane) antenna you will have to ground the antenna.

    if you cant get it down period. you could take it to a cb shop and have them ground it, or if need be mount it. once they determine that the swr is too high and the antenna cant be tuned just as it is, they should be able to ground it properly for ya.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2010
    squirrellsgnwild, Jan 24, 2010
    squirrellsgnwild, Jan 24, 2010
    #6
  9. Jan 24, 2010 #7
    FriedTater

    FriedTater Keeper of The Snakes

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    Mar 25, 2009
    United State of Texas
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    Quick connects are the worst about SWR havoc,that and they wear out pretty quick causing even more issues.
    What type of 4 wheeler are you working with ? where are you mounting the antenna mount? how is the mount secured?


     
    FriedTater, Jan 24, 2010
    FriedTater, Jan 24, 2010
    #7
  10. Jan 24, 2010 #8
    WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

    3,324
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    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
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    I have used many firesticks and hamsticks with no problems
     
    WA4GCH, Jan 24, 2010
    WA4GCH, Jan 24, 2010
    #8
  11. Jan 24, 2010 #9
    breezrk

    breezrk Bobtail Member

    23
    3
    Nov 11, 2009
    Maryland
    0
    I have it mounted on the passenger side corner of the bed of my f150 behind the cab. I"m using the flat side of a mirror mount,mounted with sheet metal screws and bolts. I have a spray in bed liner. I grounded the mount with 10 gauge wire to the frame. I know it's not the ideal place but a tool box prevents a center mount on the rail.Thanks for the advice on here. I slip seat at work being low on the board, A different rig every day, so I'm throwing it in my 4 wheeler for the time being.
     
    breezrk, Jan 24, 2010
    breezrk, Jan 24, 2010
    #9
  12. Jan 24, 2010 #10
    FriedTater

    FriedTater Keeper of The Snakes

    2,202
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    Mar 25, 2009
    United State of Texas
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    4 footers? on 4 wheelers? and not roof mounted . . . . . .
     
    FriedTater, Jan 24, 2010
    FriedTater, Jan 24, 2010
    #10
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