CB HELP

OK so after a ton of tuning to my CB radio and antenna it still runs hot. I have a tune-able anetenna and my CB says it is higher on ch 1 than on ch 40. I know that means it is too short. But the doesnt outcome doesnt change (whether i extend the antenna 1\8 of an inch or 3 inches). What am i doing wrong? and i know for a fact i am checking my SWR correctly too.

 

what are your SWR's?
And do you have a ground and the antanea mount set up correctly?

 

It doesn't look like you have a good ground plane. Even if you're tied to the metal fender there it may not be enough. Also, the antenna is so close to the cab and topper that it could be coupled to it. If either is the case, nothing you do to the antenna will help it until you get a ground plane or get it away from the cab.

 

You need a larger ground plate. With mine I had the same problem. Try using a larger ground wire and run it to the frame.

 

Higher on 1 than 40 isn't necessarily bad. Given the location, that might be all you can do. What is the SWR at 1, 19, and 40 ? That they are below 2 and close to 1 is what is important.

 

Thanks for your help guys. I do have a ground wire but I think it it far to small. I am also missing the insulated washer on the antenna. I'll fix that all today and try it again.

 

Antenna missing the insulated wire is a huge issue! Probably the worst one actually since you antenna is just grounding out. My swr went down to something respectable instantly after adding the insulating washer

 

h

 

The missing insulating washer is probably a majority of your problem. Let us know. BTW - adding a larger wire between the mount and the frame won't give you a better ground plane. On my Tacoma, I had two ground wires made out of copper braid. Each wire went to the frame on each side of the truck and I still had a high SWR over 3:1. So I decided to try electrically connecting the three rails that run along the top of the bed using small lengths of copper braid. I then made sure the ground side of my antenna mount had a good electrical connection to the rail where the antenna was mounted. This essentially turned the rails into ground radials and it dropped my SWR down to a 1:1 across the band and up into the 10M amateur band.

 

My antenna works great now and my SWR is under 2 on every channel. The insulated washer did the trick. I can pick signals up from all over. Can't wait to use it out in the dirt with my buddies. Thanks again for your help!