102' whip tunning

Actually if the SWR is over 3 is when damage starts happening.

I'd say where you got the SWR reading of 1.5 on ch 40 and 1.7 on ch 1, reset it there and let it go. You're good.

You Lil Wil might have better coax, as opposed to the 102, and that may be why you're not getting the lower SWR's you want...but again the 1.7 on channel 1/1.5 on channel 40 is perfect, set it there and let it eat.

Also I don't know if you're running the proper 6 inch barrel spring that a 102 typically runs but if you're not, you need to go get one. The 6 inch barrel spring makes up the antenna....an idea CB antenna will have a length of 108 inches. The shorter antennas have coils in them to compensate for this.

Believe me the time I tried a 102 w/o the spring the SWR's were up towards the 3 mark.

 

Yep got to have that spring .....
I run on on 29.600 FM that old 102 is hard to beat.

 

The 6" spring is necessary. Or a 6" spacer, like the shaft off the bottom of the Wilson Trucker antennas. Once I even ran a 22" Wilson Trucker shaft and cut off 16" from the top of the whip so it wasn't always layin back in the wind like they tend to do. When I use it now I stick to the spring but there are other options to get the desired 108".

 

http://www.copper.com/cart/index.php

Try here for all kinds of parts to help tune that big ol' whip.

 

Radio shack sells the strongest one. it costs as much as the antenna lol but it works the best

 

To start with the lil wil is a loaded antenna, not the same thing as the whip. add a spring to it, radio shack has a heavy duty spring which will add 4 inches to the overall length. No a higher swr is not better. You really should be able to get it below 2, 1.5 or lower is just fine but a 2.5 is too high. Your antenna is to short the spring should help.

 

You wont get this often, But I agree with you the stainless 102 with the Heavy Duty Spring is about the best antenna on the market for performance.

 

Radio Shack