A antenna issue that has me stumped

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by craig_sez, Jul 14, 2022.

  1. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    Craig, I found this info on return loss. I believe this makes more sense to us non-engineer folks, versus the technical info I posted earlier.

    "The RL value is not cable loss. It stands for "Return Loss", a term well-known to RF engineers. Think of it as the inverse of SWR, and just an alternative expression to what the SWR is. It has very little to do with cable loss. For example, 9 dB RL is about a 2:1 SWR. They are equivalent. You want a higher Return Loss number for a better SWR, not lower. A 40 dB return loss is a near perfect 1:1 SWR. This high Return Loss number means that the antenna is absorbing and using all of the power you send to it. A low value of Return Loss means that very little of your power is being used by the antenna, and is being reflected (Returned) back to your transmitter."
     
    mike5511 Thanks this.
  2. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Yeah i figured that much out long ago...lol Had an discussion with another guy on another forum about it...He said it was not along the line of what you just posted and what i already said..
    Tks..
     
  3. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    Oh Okay, very good. I've read about return loss from time to time, but this last quote I posted was simple and basic. Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on the cmc either. The analyzer numbers you have posted are really amazing considering the truck you are dealing with. With the proper bonding you have done, I would think any common mode current would be at a minimum.
     
  4. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    For the most part im fine with them but it was better before....Tryin to figure out whats changed to move my resonance point and decrease my rl....
    Its a long weekend this weekend im hopefully gonna get time to go over a few things..
     
  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Have you tested the coax by measuring the coax loses and leakage?
     
  6. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Not sure if i have through my analyzer or not..If i did its been awhile..
     
  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    You can do it with swr meters, two of them.
     
  8. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    Tell us more!

    ...
     
  9. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Noo swr meters to be had..The idea intregues me though..
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I’ll do a little explanation later on, got too much going on to get into it. Just doing hit and run postings.