Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Antenna Light Cobra 29 Stumping me

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Lil_Red, Nov 28, 2015.

  1. Nov 28, 2015 #1
    Lil_Red

    Lil_Red Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Nov 28, 2015
    0
    Just got assigned another truck at work and hooked my radio to the factory antenna set up. When I tested my SWR with the built in meter it was super high, 3.2 on channel 1 and maxed out on 40 but the antenna light DID NOT come on. Since my SWR was so high I mounted a 4' firestik 2 on the my mirror bar and was able to tune the antenna to 1.4 on channel 1 and 1.1 on channel 40 but now the antenna light DOES come on. Also tried mounting it on the grab bar on the back of the cab (Volvo D13) with the same result. I've ordered a SWR meter and 18' foot coax because the one i have is a new one but cheap crap that i got from the mechanic shop at work. Any ideas on what it could be in the mean time? The antenna light is really stumping me, and have no experience with cbs.
     
    Lil_Red, Nov 28, 2015
    Lil_Red, Nov 28, 2015
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Dec 22, 2015 #2
    Big_m

    Big_m Heavy Load Member

    881
    265
    Oct 13, 2009
    Central Maryland
    0
    I had one without warning just start coming on. And I had to adjust it. VR-6 will adjust the AWL.
     
    Big_m, Dec 22, 2015
    Big_m, Dec 22, 2015
    #2
  4. Dec 23, 2015 #3
    rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

    9,681
    6,537
    Feb 9, 2012
    Wapwallopen, Pa
    0
    That SWR meter will only give you accurate readings with 2 jumpers 1/2 wavelength long. The extra quarter wavelength Of cable assuming the velocity factor is two thirds the speed of light will act as an impedance transformer and give you a false reading using a simple SWR meter. It is only designed to show you how close you are to 50 ohms but it is unable to tell you how you achieved that 50 ohms.
    Meanwhile your true SWR could be far off from what you think it might be. An antenna analyzer will give you a more accurate picture of what is really going on and does not require any specific length of cable to give you an accurate reading.
     
    rabbiporkchop, Dec 23, 2015
    rabbiporkchop, Dec 23, 2015
    #3
  5. Dec 23, 2015 #4
    rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

    9,681
    6,537
    Feb 9, 2012
    Wapwallopen, Pa
    0
    That adjustment should only be made with a 50 ohm dummy load attached to the back of the radio.
     
    rabbiporkchop, Dec 23, 2015
    rabbiporkchop, Dec 23, 2015
    #4
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.