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SWR and bonding

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Freightlinerbob, Oct 16, 2012.

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  1. Oct 16, 2012 #1
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    On a Freightliner with a single mirror mounted antenna, I ran a braided piece from the door hinge bolt to the firewall bolt.

    Either way it is:
    Ch. 1- 1.4:1
    Ch. 40-1.7:1


    My question is: does the bonding still help antenna performance or not?
     
    Freightlinerbob, Oct 16, 2012
    Freightlinerbob, Oct 16, 2012
    #1
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  3. Oct 16, 2012 #2
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    It depends on a lot of factors. The fact that the SWR didn't change indicates that not much has happened. Proper bonding usually makes the indicated SWR worse.

    Ground straps need to be kept as short as possible. The longer the strap gets, the more it starts acting like an inductor (think resistor), and less like a ground.

    Strapping a door usually entails a short jumper from one side of the hinge to the other.
     
    MsJamie, Oct 16, 2012
    MsJamie, Oct 16, 2012
    #2
    Freightlinerbob Thanks this.
  4. Oct 16, 2012 #3
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    10-4 on the short wire. On this truck the hinge bolts that go into the body are not opposite the ones on the door, they are on the side of the cab. I went to a firewall bolt because it was closer and bare aluminum versus a painted surface.

    Do you think I should shorten the whip further or is the current SWR good enough and would a lower reading be noticeable?
     
    Freightlinerbob, Oct 16, 2012
    Freightlinerbob, Oct 16, 2012
    #3
  5. Oct 16, 2012 #4
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    I'd try shortening it a bit. What is your SWR mid-band (channel 20)?
     
    MsJamie, Oct 16, 2012
    MsJamie, Oct 16, 2012
    #4
  7. Oct 17, 2012 #5
    jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    Proper bonding does more than just help get your SWR better...It will also help reduce noise in your radio...But your going to have to do more than just grounding the doors to notice a difference ...
     
    jessejamesdallas, Oct 17, 2012
    jessejamesdallas, Oct 17, 2012
    #5
  8. Oct 19, 2012 #6
    Big_m

    Big_m Heavy Load Member

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    There is really nothing wrong with your SWR readings.
     
    Big_m, Oct 19, 2012
    Big_m, Oct 19, 2012
    #6
  9. Oct 19, 2012 #7
    Old_School1

    Old_School1 Light Load Member

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    I used to worry alot about bonding and my antenna not being right because i could hear everything great but was hard to get a response from anyone i tried to talk to... I have had many coversations on the radio in the past so i decided to get me on of those fancy SWR meters... to my surprize i got the following:

    channel 1 1.0:1
    Channel 40 1.0:1


    I guess if your not a "regular" on the airways nobody wants to talk to you:biggrin_2552:

    Anyways... as posted before i would not fret over those SWR's they look within reason.
     
    Old_School1, Oct 19, 2012
    Old_School1, Oct 19, 2012
    #7
  10. Oct 19, 2012 #8
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    1:1 on both ends of the band looks more like a dummy load than an antenna...
     
    MsJamie, Oct 19, 2012
    MsJamie, Oct 19, 2012
    #8
    jessejamesdallas Thanks this.
  11. Oct 19, 2012 #9
    jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    Can be...and if your not getting any response back from people your trying to contact, this "could" be the reason...could be allot of other reasons to tho...
     
    jessejamesdallas, Oct 19, 2012
    jessejamesdallas, Oct 19, 2012
    #9
  12. Oct 20, 2012 #10
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    I can and will try up get the SWR lower, when I have a chance. I just got very busy and it won't let up until Sunday night or Monday.

    The bonding was me having a few minutes to play.

    Apparently I'm getting out OK. at least for a few miles. Even had a "loud n' proud" report. Whatever that means. Sounded good anyways.


    But I'm trying to get out on LSB 38 with all the skip the last week and its not happening for me.
     
    Freightlinerbob, Oct 20, 2012
    Freightlinerbob, Oct 20, 2012
    #10
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