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Cobra 29 LTD CHROME SWR's ???

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by brucet84, Jan 23, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jan 23, 2013 #1
    brucet84

    brucet84 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 21, 2013
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    Just bought a new Cobra 29 LTD Chrome Peaked and tuned.. Hooked it up in my truck. Tied it to a 3 foot Firestick fiberglass/coil antenna.Grounded well. Everything looks good. BUT. according to the built in SWR meter, when I depress the mic button the needle swings all the way to the right. Channel 1, 20 and 40 all swing hard right. When I get a radio check everybody says it sounds good but I don't seem to be getting out very far and I am not hearing much unless they are fairly close or it is a big base station off in the distance. Any help would be appreciated ! Thanks
     
    brucet84, Jan 23, 2013
    brucet84, Jan 23, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jan 23, 2013 #2
    n9mxq

    n9mxq Light Load Member

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    Aug 13, 2010
    Belvidere, IL
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    Are you calibrating first? And don't trust built in SWR meters. Get a good external to check. However, poor receive is a sign of high SWR. Take it to a reputable shop, or invest in your own quality SWR meter.
     
    n9mxq, Jan 23, 2013
    n9mxq, Jan 23, 2013
    #2
  4. Jan 23, 2013 #3
    brucet84

    brucet84 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 21, 2013
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    Yes. Calibrating first. Thanks
     
    brucet84, Jan 23, 2013
    brucet84, Jan 23, 2013
    #3
  5. Jan 23, 2013 #4
    Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

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    May 31, 2009
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    First, take what the built in meter says with a grain of salt. It's there for reference, but an external SWR meter should always be used.

    Second, and I would imagine you did this, but just asking....you did verify your meter was not only calibrated but also in SWR mode? Because it's easy to get confused...during normal operation and not in SWR check mode, the needle should go to the right.

    Third, if you want to be heard farther and also boost your receive, get rid of that 3 foot fiberglas stick and invest in a taller whip style antenna like a Wilson 2k.

    Also make sure you run good coax like LMR-240UF or maybe RG8X.
     
    Turbo-T, Jan 23, 2013
    Turbo-T, Jan 23, 2013
    #4
  7. Jan 23, 2013 #5
    BigByrd47119

    BigByrd47119 Light Load Member

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    Jan 3, 2013
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    If its pegging far right (off the scale) it may be a bad ground, or at least when I had that problem thats what it was.

    FWIW, my external swr meter and internal meter are only off by about .1 or .2
     
    BigByrd47119, Jan 23, 2013
    BigByrd47119, Jan 23, 2013
    #5
  8. Jan 24, 2013 #6
    kor b

    kor b Light Load Member

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    Dec 16, 2008
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    If this reading (pegged right) was coming from an external
    Meter, i would be looking for a short at the ant.
    mount, or coax ends. If the swr.zzzzzz were
    3.0 to 1 across the band i would look for bad
    ground.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2013
    kor b, Jan 24, 2013
    kor b, Jan 24, 2013
    #6
  9. Jan 24, 2013 #7
    kor b

    kor b Light Load Member

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    Dec 16, 2008
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    The three foot antenna well never be a good performer.
     
    kor b, Jan 24, 2013
    kor b, Jan 24, 2013
    #7
  10. Jan 24, 2013 #8
    mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

    3,155
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    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
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    True that, wouldn't even waste my time. 4.5ft Francis is as short as I'll go.
     
    mike5511, Jan 24, 2013
    mike5511, Jan 24, 2013
    #8
  11. Jan 24, 2013 #9
    brucet84

    brucet84 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 21, 2013
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    Double checked all the above and got somewhat better but still not acceptable results ! Made sure I was in SWR mode. Added a special ground wire just in case. Changed antenna from 3 1/2 ft Firestick to 48" steel whip. Double checked coax and cable ends. All O.K. Rechecked SWR's. 9 plus on 40 , 8 plus on 20 , 6 plus on 1. Still looking for help. Thanks guys !
     
    brucet84, Jan 24, 2013
    brucet84, Jan 24, 2013
    #9
  12. Jan 24, 2013 #10
    brucet84

    brucet84 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 21, 2013
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    Oh ! Forgot to add. When I key mic under regular opperation the mic light always glows RED. Is this a warning of some kind ?
     
    brucet84, Jan 24, 2013
    brucet84, Jan 24, 2013
    #10
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