still cant get swr below 2(cobra 29 ldt)

ok now the questions.
1. What meter is telling you your SWR is 2.1 if its your radio don't believe it. If its a inline that is seperate then it is closer. If it is in deed 2.1 on the top and bottom and the same in the middle you have a match as close as you will get with that set up you can change the antenna or the length of coax or the ground wire and that will effect it but not much.
2. Try raising it above the truck cab with a stand off or try getting it off the edge with a stand off but you should be good right there.

 

Try removing the spring once and see what happens.

 

Your onto something there. I'm thinking the spring made the antenna "electrically" too long. You either need to clip some copper windings from the antenna (at the top end), or remove the spring. More than likely, if you slip some copper windings, it's probably gonna be a solid 5-10 wraps of cutting.

 

Just because there matching, doesn't mean that it's correct. Lowering them for each antenna by clipping copper or removing the spring will bring it down. But, your also using a fiberglass antenna, so good luck with that.

IMHO, 2.1 is an OK #

 

Try elimination. You allready did the coax, so find an antenna to try. If that doesn't work, try another meter...all far before you start clipping wires.
I have two very short stingers for Wilsons that I'll never use again....heheh...

 

You can still use them stingers. Try a big barrel spring, you'd be amazed. I've made that mistake of cutting them too short as well, lol

Nowdays, I've said the hell with it. I run the big antennas, such as my Predator 10k on my Peterbilt, and a 102" (with a 6" barrel spring) on my pickup truck

 

I build mine, need to start on one for my upcoming big rig. Here's my pickup pole:


PVC is just great for everything, aint' it?