Antenna warning

Don't use the SWR thing on the radio.

I have a digital one on my McKenley (sp?) and it showed 1.8 was the best I could get with my new NGP antenna. I decided to put my real SWR meter on it and see what I had. The needle didn't even budge. I've never had a perfect 1:1 ratio on SWR like I do now and I've been running CB since 1997. I've gotten it down to 1.2 to one on one old antenna I used to have but never 1:1.

Point being.....don't use the radio. Get a real SWR meter.

 

Still an inefficient antenna. At a minimum I would run 4’. The less you have as far as a load the more efficient the antenna is, no matter where said load is located. Fiberglass antennas are top loaded, unless it’s a Francis, in that case it’s a full load antenna. Either way, the longer, the more efficient, the better performance you’ll have.

 

I made the point myself but i feel he just blew it off..Ill have to find that chart and post the differences..

 

If you put 4 watts into a four-foot antenna, you will get the same power out of that antenna as if you were putting 2 watts into a 102-inch whip.

• If you put 4 watts into a 3-foot antenna you will get the same power out as if you were putting about 1.5 watts into a 102-inch whip.

• If you put 4 watts into a 7.5 inch antenna on a hand held CB, it would put out as much power as a third of a watt into a 102-whip.

• If you put 4 watts into a 102-inch whip antenna, it is the same output as if you put 11 watts into a 3-foot whip.

• If you put 4 watts into a 102-inch whip antenna,, it is the same as if you put 14 watts into a 28-inch antenna.

• If you put 4 watts into a 102-inch whip antenna, it is the same as if you put 54 watts into a 7.5 antenna

I just did a quick look,to tired to look any longer but this will give you the idea..Notice point #1 and point #3..See the diff of you basically chokeing out your radio,bottle necking it sorta speak....Its like you drag raceing your pick up with a huge travel trailer on back but expecting a equal or better time than a pick up without...

 

I did not just blow you off, but what I now have is working very well and I am not going to replace it with something that is more likely to get broken off.

I appreciate everyone's help.

 

I agree with using an external meter but the swr meter on my Mckinnley and Bearcat 880 are in total agreement with external meter.

 

Well it seemed it fell on deaf ears cause most want the most outta their set up...As long as your happy but keep in mind,a longer ant will get you more with less..
A consideration is a sirio 5000,they are a better ant with a foldable mount..Only killer part is that its a base load but still hell of an ant..

 

K..Now i have a question re ant tuning..My nail on my skip shooter is bottomed out..Its actually has no whip showing(sorta speak,just no head on the nail)My resonance point still needs to be lower..I have yet to start any bonding but think it will help with resonance??