Help Please

Your problem is a common one.

Here's what to consider. Coax cable is like a hose or a pipe. RF energy is as water in this case.

So, you have a hose (coax) with 2 outlets. One going to the antenna (load) and the other laying open. If this were a water hose the open end would spill water everywhere. Most of your RF is being reflected back to your radio because of an open circuit. The antenna needs one feed line and also needs to be properly installed and grounded.

If you have a mirror mount bracket on the bedliner of your truck, you should make sure the screws are in the metal on the bed rather than just in the plastic. Also, you should have the plastic spacer for the antenna part of the mount on top just below the threaded part that the antenna whip screws into. Most people I run across seem to always put the space on the bottom creating a short circuit for the antenna.

You also might want to run a SWR meter across the feedline and antenna after you correct any potential problems to check and see if you need to tune the antenna itself.

 

A co-phased cable assembly (for two antennas) must have two antennas properly installed and tuned to the radio. Otherwise, the impedance mismatch will hurt your radio. Get a single cable meant for one antenna only.

When you hear of drivers running only one antenna of a pair, they use a 50 ohm single cable to one antenna. The antenna mounted to the other mirror has no cable attached. Cables meant for two antennas use RG-59, essentially 75 ohm TV cable, cut to an exact length.

I know it seems like black magic. But that's because it is.

Also, your Volume is turned down or your Squelch knob is probably turned too far clockwise. Turn it to the left until you hear static, then just enough to the right that the static mutes. Then reception audio should come blasting in.

Ted

 

Ok Just wondering if I need to run 2 antennas on my Freightliner??? or is 1 ok???? I have a Wilson 2000 on there now.

 

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