Tuning CB radio antenna

[Sockeye]

After a basic install I measured the SWR and run into rather unpleasant results.

With antenna in the mount on the nudge bar the SWR reads about 4.

With antenna dismounted and thrown flat on the bonnet it reads perfect 1.1.

As soon as I move the antenna, not to speak mount it vertically, the SWR reading goes bad again.

Any idea what is the culprit of the issue?

[skipperau]

Possibly the quality of the connection where the cable goes into the mount?

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by skipperau

Possibly the quality of the connection where the cable goes into the mount?

That would be my first guess as well. Something may be loose or having a bad contact issue between it sitting upright and laying down.

[skipperau]

Originally Posted by Nanook

That would be my first guess as well. Something may be loose or having a bad contact issue between it sitting upright and laying down.

Exactly right, I've been building quads and beams since I was a teenager so the quality of connections is always the first thing I check, especially looking for the braided shield having pulled out.

Doug.

[bodgie]

Does the Micronta meter you have support UHF frequencies?

I'd be surprised if it if does, I'd suspect it would only be 27Mhz which may be creating a problem for you.

Check for short circuits on the cable too, this can create some issues.

Jason

[bodgie]

Definitely SWR meter is the issue: if the radio is UHF.

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/radio_s...o_21_525b.html

Micronta Field Strength SWR Tester Cat. No. 21-525B;
Measurable RF Power: 1 to 1000 watts,
SWR: 1:1 to 3:1,
Impedance: 50 ohms,
Frequency: 3 to 30 MHz.

[Ben-n-Jo]

Never used a swr meter on UHF and never had a drama.

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