Back in a T680...

After thinking on it a bit, I'm trying a different route as far as antennas. I'll post an update with pics if it works as well as it seems to be doing once I get out of this truck stop.

The issue with the SWR jumping up when the key was on was simple: I had the SWR meter crammed into the factory radio cubby and that just happens to be where other wires run. Getting it out of there stopped some interference and it looks pretty good now.

I'm crossing my fingers on this new setup but I'm sure I've got more crap to do.

 

Lil update. I switched out antennas for a pair of 5.5' Francis antennas. My SWR is low. I mean, like, low. 0.5 low. No idea why that is. I didn't adjust them or anything. But whatever. Also swapped CBs.

Sitting in traffic in a wreck today, I was at mm 162 westbound I-24 heading into Nashville and was listening to update reports from a driver at mm 153 where the wreck was. I set there for 30+ minutes and was still hearing "back her down westbound" from guys just coming up on the backup. There was way too much talking coming in to even bother seeing if they could hear me though.

So I am pretty satisfied. I am going to try sticking 2 7' Skipshooters on next just for the heck of it.

 

Yup they bend about 4 or 5 inches back at the tip on the highway. But compared to the factory antennas, they are quite a bit lighter and thinner and don't seem to stress the mounts any. And they haven't smacked the cab even in pretty strong crosswinds which I thought they might do.

I'll run these until I can find the Skipshooters. Thanks guys.

 

Both of them will give you a headache one way or the other.

I don't pay any attention to them now that I know they are gonna stay attached and not beat the paint off the truck. As long as I can play BJ McKay and be like other Billy Big Riggers, it's all good.