Installation tips for mobile antennas.

I wasn't aware that keying up the mic without an antenna connected will damage the unit. I powered on my Uniden Pro510XL today after buying a cigarette lighter adapter to use for a power source in the car (Radio Shack kind where you can screw the leads in the + and -). Well it came on and I keyed the mic up to test it, unknowing that this was bad. My antenna should arrive tomorrow in the mail.

So have I pretty much fried this thing? Burns me up if I broke it. The manual didn't say anything about not doing this. I only held the mic button down twice for probably 3 seconds each time and that's it. I'm new to these and was just playing around with it. I'll connect my antenna when it comes in and check it out. Hopefully I didn't damage it for just that little bit.

 

for that short of a time will not kill your radio

 

Thanks squirrell. I got my antenna in today and connected everything. I can hear others but I'm not so sure they can hear me. No one responded to my requests for a "radio check" several times on several channels. Not sure if I broke this thing or if the antenna just needs tuning. I'm going to run up to the truck stop nearby later and see if they have an SWR meter.

 

Before you key up again, get an SWR meter in between the antenna and the radio and get the vehicle away from buildings, trees, other vehicles....and especially away from anything metal or concrete. When you take the SWR reading you do not want the waves to bounce off of an object and back into the antenna. This will make the SWR's go up.

Once you've verified your SWR is 2.0:1 or lower (numerically) then you can be sure the antenna is properly tuned to the vehicle and then you can talk on it safely.

Without having the antenna tuned, you can listen to anyone all you want, just can't transmit. Also if your antenna is not tuned (high SWR) then it will keep you from getting heard unless you are real close to someone. The lower the SWR, the farther you can get out.

I don't think you hurt your finals. Yes you can if you key up for too long with a high SWR. But as long as you get a radio check then your finals are ok.

Best thing to do is what you stated...hit up the local truck stop and once you've checked the SWR, key up and call for a radio check, or just start up any random conversation.

 

I bought an SWR meter and tuned it, although I was at the truckstop near the building. I will re-check it in an open area. It came out to be right at close to 1, and it's a Lil' Wil. I got a radio check from the T/S, and also was able to talk to a trucker probably a mile or more away on the interstate. I keyed up to ask how traffic was, and he responded, so I think I'm good to go. Now that I have an SWR meter, I can check it periodically to make sure it's in line with what it's supposed to be.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

Also I forgot to mention when you check the SWR, to check it on channel 1, then 20, then 40. If it's around 1.1:1 to 1.5:1 on all 3 channels, then you're good to go.

 

Agree ! under 2:1 from ch 1 to ch 40 ....

 

great input, thank You!