Antenna question

id at least check it against an external meter , theyre more accurate .
1.2 is a very good vswr .
anything 1.5 or less is good for use with an amp .
2.0 or less for a barefoot radio is supposed to be fine .
i tune as low as i can .

 

Thats good lower the better, did't want it over 1.5 and some times the meter on some radios ant worth a s*** so u might carry it too a cb shop and get them to put there meter on it.

 

To get the best reading, check SWR on ch 1 and 40 and tune antenna to be the same on both channels. This will give you the lowest SWR over all channels.

 

Or tune the radio to the middle of the band (Channel 19 / 20) for the best SWR.
BTW, I don't know this antenna, but you said that it contains coils?
Coils are usually used for mechanically shortening the antenna, while making the transmitter believe that there is a full size 1/4 wavelength (about 6 3/4 feet for the 11 meter band) antenna connected. These coils reduce the efficiency of the antenna.
If it is mechanically possible, I'd use a fullsize antenna mounted in the middle of a flat metal cab roof.

Jan