"Antenna warning" message

The first thing is to get an SWR meter on the rig setup and see what it is, do not trust the internal one (if it has one) and take your time seeing where the problem is before you bench test the radio.

Then if it is a bad SWR (3 to 1 or worse) I would plan on getting another antenna and coax installed.

 

If you can try your radio in another known "good" installation, see if the warning comes on. If not, the problem may be in your antenna system. By "system", I mean everything from your coax connector, the coax itself, any multicouplers ("diplexers") that let one or more antennas serve the CB, TV, the be-bop radio, erc., the antenna(s), and any existing counterpoise/groundplane (noticeably lacking on plastic cabs). If you have access to a modest dummy load (not the light bulb type) you can just screw that onto your CB's antenna port and transmit. If the warning still comes on, the radio needs to be put on a bench. Also, if anyone with just a screwdriver, a wattmeter, and a pair of wire clippers has "peaked and tuned" your radio, a proper antenna will reject the likely spurious and harmonic output from your radio, *correctly* indicating a high SWR and triggering the warning. On my bench, I'd start by looking at the radio's performance into a calibrated dummy load and checking for what techs call Spectral Purity, meaning all (well, within specified limits) is on the frequency ("occupied channel bandwidth") that it's supposed to. If all is good and the power hasn't been turned up excessively, the warning circuit can be easily adjusted.
Hope that helps,
73
PS excuse my typing, I'm using a tablet that tries to spell for me....grrrrr..l.

 

Keep cable short. It IS good advice to check with an external meter. The internal warning message can be tuned if the reading are inaccurate. External meters, in my opinion, are a better bet.

 

Astatic no the same company BUT I still prefer thm. Just bought the three meter Astatic from Copper Electrics myself about 2 weeks ago.

 

ok I need help, I have a cobra 29lx, when using built in antenna on a 2015 Cascadia I get antenna pass, but when I hook the new external antenna I get antenna fail. ive replaced all the parts of the antenna system with new parts, im using an oil filled antenna ( road pro ) and I have run a good ground. I even swapped out antennas with a fiberglass whip. I still get the same results. what else can I try. can I get a swr meter and tune the antenna even with radio saying it failed ? I don't want to burn up my radio. and I use the mirror mount for the Cascadia. any advise ? thanks

 

With your wording it appears you haven't used an external swr meter. You might want to try one before you go any further. If I misunderstood your post ignore this. You can check swr without burning up your radio as you only key up briefly.

 

ok ill give this a try, ive never done it before so ill go to cb world on youtube. thanks for the advise !