Antenna tuning

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by jeeper, Feb 21, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Feb 21, 2011 #1
    jeeper

    jeeper Light Load Member

    89
    24
    Jan 3, 2011
    Dandridge, TN
    0
    I just tried to check my SWR on my radio, and it's been a very long time since I've used my meter. It's a Pyramid swr-14 I believe, and if I'm reading it right, my radio/antenna has a reading too good to believe, but I still can't transmit. I looked up the manual for the meter, and it said it's the gauge on the right, but it doesn't even really move when I key up, but the other gauge reads just at 2. The radio is a cobra 19 dx iv, and the antenna is a wilson fireglass antenna, maybe 5' or so. I can receive all day long, but doesn't seem to be transmitting. Starting to wonder if the radio is bad, it is a few years old now. Any ideas would be appreciated.
     
    jeeper, Feb 21, 2011
    jeeper, Feb 21, 2011
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. Feb 21, 2011 #2
    delta5

    delta5 Road Train Member

    1,193
    7,404
    Sep 9, 2010
    Ohio
    0
    delta5, Feb 21, 2011
    delta5, Feb 21, 2011
    #2
    jeeper Thanks this.
  4. Feb 21, 2011 #3
    jeeper

    jeeper Light Load Member

    89
    24
    Jan 3, 2011
    Dandridge, TN
    0
    Well apparently the people I heard earlier didnt feel like replying, just tried again and got a response.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2011
    jeeper, Feb 21, 2011
    jeeper, Feb 21, 2011
    #3
  5. Feb 23, 2011 #4
    Gadfly

    Gadfly Medium Load Member

    674
    323
    Aug 18, 2006
    0
    It is really hard to tell from what you are telling us. There's several things that could be going on...........

    1. the radio is moving the Forward Power (?) meter, and the SWR IS correct.

    2. Radio is transmitting but at a lower than average power of 4 watts.

    3. The radio is transmitting on the driver transistor (not likely) with just enough power to move the needle.

    4. Meter is improperly set.

    5. Transmitter is OUT

    There's a bunch of things that could be going on. It is just hard to tell without being there.:biggrin_25512: I wouldn't try to transmit much until you can get it looked at.

    GF
     
    Gadfly, Feb 23, 2011
    Gadfly, Feb 23, 2011
    #4
    jeeper Thanks this.
  7. Feb 23, 2011 #5
    jeeper

    jeeper Light Load Member

    89
    24
    Jan 3, 2011
    Dandridge, TN
    0
    Would it help if I took a few pictures of the meter while I'm taking the reading again? I would take it to a local shop but I just dont have any money to spend on this right now. Maybe after I start driving and make a few paychecks I might, and maybe replace it if it is bad.
     
    jeeper, Feb 23, 2011
    jeeper, Feb 23, 2011
    #5
  8. Feb 23, 2011 #6
    josh.c

    josh.c Road Train Member

    1,105
    420
    Feb 22, 2009
    Knoxville, Tn
    0
    Is this your meter? If so, the meter on the left is measuring your dead key, which is apparently just two watts, but you should still be able to be heard. You do check the antenna's SWR with the meter on the right, but you can't just key up and take a reading. See the button on the right that says

    "REF
    FWD"?

    You need to set it to "FWD" which is with the button out. Then key (and hold) the microphone, and adjust the knob on the meter until the needle on the SWR meter is lined up with the "SET" mark. Then push the button in so that it's set to "REF" and the reading on the meter will be your SWR. If that number is, for example, 1.5, then your SWR is 1.5:1 (read one-point-five to one).
     
    josh.c, Feb 23, 2011
    josh.c, Feb 23, 2011
    #6
    jeeper Thanks this.
  9. Feb 23, 2011 #7
    jeeper

    jeeper Light Load Member

    89
    24
    Jan 3, 2011
    Dandridge, TN
    0
    That is it, and I did read on how to set it first. I just got slightly confused when I looked at the one on the left that also says swr. After I "set" it and key up again the needle on the right doesn't hardly even move, but I guess that would be a good thing then.
     
    jeeper, Feb 23, 2011
    jeeper, Feb 23, 2011
    #7
  10. Feb 23, 2011 #8
    overdrivexx

    overdrivexx Light Load Member

    53
    15
    Feb 12, 2011
    Richfield, UT
    0
    Jeeper,

    what channel are you testing this on? You need to do 3 tests one on channel 1 another on ch 40 and the last one on ch 20 so you get a reference.
    here's a good site with easy instructions,

    http://www.eriecb.com/SWR.htm
     
    overdrivexx, Feb 23, 2011
    overdrivexx, Feb 23, 2011
    #8
    jeeper Thanks this.
  11. Feb 23, 2011 #9
    jeeper

    jeeper Light Load Member

    89
    24
    Jan 3, 2011
    Dandridge, TN
    0
    That's what I did... Well 1, 40, then 19. I think for the most part it is fine, just down on power maybe.
     
    jeeper, Feb 23, 2011
    jeeper, Feb 23, 2011
    #9
  12. Feb 23, 2011 #10
    josh.c

    josh.c Road Train Member

    1,105
    420
    Feb 22, 2009
    Knoxville, Tn
    0
    It does sound like your SWR is good, so at least you won't be hurting the radio. If you take that radio to the Cigar Man at exit 412, I bet he won't charge you more than $10-15(cash, if he charges you at all) to put it on his scope and tune it real quick. He's across the street from the Chevron, he's not the one you'll hear advertising on 19 behind the Loves.
     
    josh.c, Feb 23, 2011
    josh.c, Feb 23, 2011
    #10
    Harley34 and jeeper Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

    • Page 1 of 2