Antenna warning

If it is in fact 1.8:1 then damage is unlikely. If the radio was peaked and tuned supposedly, there’s a good chance they never accounted for the antenna warning pot and it has become hypersensitive. Typical issue. Where are you traveling?

 

I will be hauling a dozer from Stanley, ID to Idaho Falls. Only need a pilot for the first part of the trip.
Thanks for the response. The radio has never been opened up.

 

In-radio meters are distrusted by many folks for whatever reason. You would think a meter built into a radio would be the most trusted type, since the manufacturer installed it to work with that radio. However, many folks report they are "off" when compared with external meters, perhaps due to work being done on the radio which affects their accuracy or perhaps for some other unknown reason. Who knows?

That is why a common suggestion is to get a $25 external SWR meter with a short pigtail to connect it to the radio's antenna port and the antenna. It is generally considered that would provide a more trustworthy reading, at least according to what I've gleaned from many forums.

If indeed your SWR is at 1.8, it would not present any problems to the radio per se. Most folks seem to consider anything less than about 2 is fine in terms of standard 4-Watt radio protection, although you do lose a little performance which usually would not be noticed by anyone or anything but very sensitive equipment. The disturbing "fly in the ointment" is when an SWR meter shows an OK reading and an antenna warning light shows a problem. This does not seem to be uncommon, unfortunately. An external SWR meter could settle the argument. Maybe.

If I were in your shoes and need to take a trip soon, I would just test the radio at the distance you expect to use it at to make sure it communicates OK. If it does well, then shove off when ready.

 

Something I noticed with my radios is that the onboard SWR meters were always a bit higher than my three external SWR meters. This is strictly anecdotal so YMMV. I hesitate to post this in the fear a driver might disregard high SWR on the onboard meter based on my little observation of a very small number of radios/meters.

Bottom line: checking with an external meter is mandatory IMHO

 

Not gonna preach on the swr bs..But to many think it means more than it does..With a 1.8 across the board uts antenna related.....Either poor antenna,grounding,coax itself,antenna stud....
Kobg.com

 

So in my situation:

1. Everything was working fine
2. Dealership broke the antenna
3. I replaced antenna
4. Antenna warning light now is on when keying mike
5. I check mount ground, continuity in shielding, continuity of center wire, radio ground - all good.

Which brings me back to the new antenna (Francis) as the only difference between before and after.

 

So no resistance at all....Ground plain or ant..The longer the better and i would suggest atlest a 5ft tuneable tip like firestick or skip shooter..only way i know to tune a francis is adding a spring..
As i said with a constant 1.8 across the board its a ant/stud/coax/ground plain issue...Its one or the other..Its very possible your 1st or 2nd was crap in the 1st place...6-8 months ago i bought a 7ft skip shooter..In a open lot it tuned #### near perfect but over 58 mph it went wonky and my swr protect kicked in and shut down my transmit....Turns out that it was broke down at the base and the flex at 59 mph + it shorted out..

 

Did the dealer pay for the damage?

They should pay for the repairs to the antenna and if it doesn't work, pay for proper repairs at a cb shop.

 

No, I didn't notice it till I got home and the antenna was lying on it's side. At the time I figured it was just easier and faster to grab a $20 antenna and replace it.

There are no CB shops within several hundred miles to my knowledge.

 

OK, I suggest to all when they get their trucks serviced, always to a walk around to check it.