CB Antenna Tune Help

Problem solved.

 

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/installation-guides/18330687-cb-antenna-tuning-instructions
I used these instructions. My firestick has the adjustable tip, I think yours does too. Also I find that the more open the area you are in to tune the better. Avoid buildings and trees if at all possible. The reflection will mess with SWR readings.

 

yes i know all that. my issues is i shortened it as much as possible via the adjustable screw. and my swr still told me i need to lower it. so i cut the wire a little (as per firestick instructions) and they are both still in the red.

 

Ok, how about raising it about half way and tuning it from there? That may give you more adjustablity either way, longer or shorter. If you still need to go short, try raising it near the top then come down and see if you can hit a sweet spot between almost out and half way down. Mine was pretty sensitive. I checked and adjusted it one final time out in the flat desert of eastern NM on the way to Moab. I got quite a bit of difference in SWR with less than a turn on the adjuster.

And I'm no expert but if you're having a huge issue, you may want to double check your ground and other connections. I have too long of a antenna cable and had to run it back and fourth in the engine bay (non coiled per something i read) I need to get a shorter cable and maybe my SWR can improve a bit. Sorry man, I'm just throwing out suggestions.

(EDIT)

Just thought about this, my Uniden instructions said that sub 2.0 on the SWR is great on both 1 and 40 but that low 2.x is ok. It warned about anything above 3.x. I'm wondering if you may be chasing an unattainable SWR. It may just be your setup, but a 1.5 and 2.1ish are actually pretty good.

 

well at this point I'm just trying to get it near 2.

 

What the heck are you cutting? On my firestick antenna, I just have to turn a small threaded nut up or down at the tip of the antenna. the tip has a protective cover that needs to be removed for adjusting.

 

Need more info. Where is the antenna mounted. Are you using a spring or disconnect or both? How much wire have you clipped?

 

Certainly within "antenna" adjustment parameters

I suspect a ground plane or or other install issue - your SWR was too close.

You may have inadvertently ruined your antenna trying to "fix" an SWR problem that wasn't the antenna.

 

it was the antenna. I have mounted a buddies and got it tuned perfectly. swapped to mine, couldn't get it. so theres nothing wrong with install.

 

Glad you figured it out