Kanueh

So I bought a SWR meter to tune my antenna and followed the directions and set the CAL to the setup area and then moved on to the SWR setting. When I switch to from the FWD mode to REF the and key the mic the meter maxes out on chanel 1 and 40. Am I doing something wrong or is my CB or cable toast out of the box?

OH9JK

What is your antenna and mount setup?

Kanueh

Antenna is a 4 foot firestick with the Fire Ring Cable. The mount is the one that mounts to the stock spare tire carrier.

OH9JK

OK check two things....

Make sure the fire ring is installed correctly and not over tightened. See illustration below.



If #1 checks out OK next step is to make sure you have good RF ground. The bracket needs to be mounted to a clean metal surface. The tailgate can prove to be problematic because you are relying on the hinges to carry the RF ground. Some folks are able to correct this by bonding the tailgate to the rest of the body and chassis.

Aren't CB radios fun?!?

Kanueh

The mount i have looks to be powder coated. Do I need to go down to metal where the fire ring contacts the mount and where the washers contact the mount into the tail gate?

bbolander

yes, you grind off the powder coating on the underneath side only where the firering mounts, and also where the bolts go through the mount to the tailgate. a dremel works great.

Kanueh

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try tonight.

Kanueh

So I have a really good ground on the tailgate now but the SWR meter is at 3-3.5 with the antenna tuning screw as low as it will go. If I adjust it all the way up it will go as low as 2.5 but that as low as I can get it not matter how much tuning I try...any other suggestions?

bbolander

you need to put the rubber cap on the antenna tip after you adjust the tip before you test. is your antenna touching your spare tire?

Kanueh

No the antenna isn't touching but I've also never tested it with the cap on the antenna, I'll give that a shot next.