how to tune lil wil antenna

0.5? the best theoretical reading is 1.0 but thats not even to possible...

not to be rude, but are you sure you know how to read the meter? as far as i know, and have seen meters only really start at 1.0 Maybe your antennas at 1.5? which isnt too bad either...

 

If you are at the point that having the whip all the way down and your SWR improves, I would think about trimming your antenna 1/8 inch of a time or keep moving it around.

 

SWR meters start at a reading of 1.0 and go up from there as the match worsens. Check again to see if you might actually have an SWR Ratio of 1.5 on channels 1 and 40. Also check to see if channel 20 approaches the perfect 1.0.

I'd say if you have achieved nearly equal readings on 1 and 40 and verify it is better on 20, you should be all set to go. An SWR of 1.5 at the band edges is really quite excellent especially for CB antennas shorter than about 5 feet.

By the way, does your meter have a calibration dial?

John

 

Do you know how to use your meter? No sweat we'll walk you thru it. It's not difficult. First you will need a short 24" or 36" coax to connect your SWR meter. Make sure you connect the short coax to your radio to the input or "TRANS" conn. on your meter. Then connect the coax on your antenna to the output or "ANT" conn.
Now to check your SWR...
1) turn the calibration knob all the way to the left
2) Slide the PWR/ SWR switch to SWR
3) Slide the FWD/ REF switch to FWD to first calibrate the meter.
4) NEVER KEY YOUR MIC WITHOUT AN ANTENNA CONNECTED TO YOUR CB !!!!!!!
5) Now after everything is connected , set your radio to channel 20, Key the mic & turn the calibration knob to the right until it is directly over the calibration mark
6) Slide the (FWD/ REF) switch to REF , now key the mic again & this reading is the SWR for the channel you are on. Write down the results.
7) do this same process again : a.) set slide to fwd b.) calibrate meter c.) set fwd slider to REF key mic again write down results
d.) Do this on Channels 1 & 40,
NOW we can figure out what needs to be done with your antenna to get your SWR set.
REMEMBER the meter MUST be calibrated (FWD) before each REF (SWR) reading this assures you have the correct reference for the frequency.
8) Post back here with these three readings or, go to a CB shop and it can be determined what to do next.
GOOD LUCK , YOU can do it !

 

oh, and one more small thing....
Make sure you have the power set to 10w, a CB shouldn't put out more than 4 [although if its been tuned i can almost promise you it will] setting it to 4 will allow for a more accurate reading...

your meter doesnt have a calibration mark i dont think, you need to set the needle to the far end... of the red. [im pretty sure]


oh and you dont have a linear right? itll give you all kinds of crazy readings

 

On a Barefoot radio 1.5 SWR reading is not bad for a Lil Will on todays vehicles, I think a antenna (Wilson1000/5000) with a stronger magnet might lower your SWR's a little bit, but you will get out further and have better ears.