CB specifics

Just a quick update... I plugged in my other CB and played with the tip of the antenna and I managed to get these readings. Pretty happy with them, but not sure how accurate they are. I do have an actual meter coming Tuesday so I'll verify the accuracy of the CB reading. Bottom right of the CB screen in the pictures shows the exact SWR reading.

 

Readings in my previous post are pretty accurate.

Tested with a meter today and here's what I got, to compare to my last post.
channel 1 = 1swr
channel 19 = 1.3swr
channel 40 = 1.9swr

As you can see, the CB SWR meter was actually pretty damn accurate. Still glad I got a meter to have on hand for friends and if I need to re-tune/test ever.

 

Not bad, you need to shorten your antenna and level out those numbers though

 

Meaning they should all be closer to the same or get them lower in general?

 

All be closer to the same. I’m talking about physically shortening your antenna, if it’s like a fire stick or something there’s a knob you turn under the black tip and if it’s a steel whip you cut it a little at the top. Shorten it in small increments because you don’t want to go too far. Every antenna adjusts a little differently

 

Right. I've already fiddled with the tip to get it to these levels. I'll play with it some more and see if I can them all to be closer to the same reading.

 

Can it not go any shorter? If it can’t then it’s probably a grounding thing, but being that’s it’s under 2.0 all around I wouldn’t say it was worth messing with grounding if you can’t adjust it more

 

It can, I actually had to raise it to get better readings. So I raised it a bunch and then worked my way down to the readings I'm at now. I saw these and was like well, they all seem pretty good so I left it ha.

 

I'm not sure if this helps, but I did the same thing with my Firestik (started high and went lower). I even added a longer bolt! My numbers were a little higher than yours (1.8-2.4). I put the original bolt in all the way down and worked my way up and I got much better numbers! I'm running a CH1-1.0 CH19/20-1.0 CH40-1.2.

 

Hey guys! Would the powder coated Relentless Fab Hood Mount sabotage the integrity of the ground?
I running with a

$197 Uniden Bearcat 980 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA WeatherBand,7- Color Digital Display PA/CB Switch and Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Mic Compatible

Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB, 3' Firestik Firefly,

$12 Firestik K-4A Stud with Screw-On Coaxial Termination for Antenna Mirror Mounts

Firestik K-4A Stud, a 90 degree adapter and RG-58 Cable.

So far, the best SWR reading I could get on CH20 was 1.6. CH1 and CH40 are both around 2.0-2.36. I also used a braided ground from the frame to the mount under the hood.

Tomorrow I plan on stripping the powder coat. Hopefully to improve the ground of the mount???
Any advice is greatly appreciated! I'm still reading through this 67 page forum for ideas.

 

That's an interesting spot to mount the CB. Doesn't your leg hit it while getting in and out of the truck?

Have you tried to adjust your antenna tip for a better reading? That's what I had to do to mine to get a lower SWR.

 

Yes, powder coat will interfere with the grounding. Remove some from where the braided ground will attach to and I'm sure you'll see better results.

 

It's actually quite nice. Most times I don't hit the radio with my legs (and I have huge legs). I used to have it near the E-brake. That was terrible and annoyed the crap out of me when I drove. Moved it to where I have it now and I am very content. There's an airbag near there. The radio slightly cover some of it. Hopefully I never get in a wreck and end up with a CB hitting my balls. Where did you place your radio?

As for the SWR, I was only getting reading above 2.4 on the end bands (CH1 & CH40) with a 1.6 on CH20. I swapped out my 18' RG-58 coax with a 5' RG-8x coax, completely stripped the powder coating off the mount and my SWR went down to 2.0 on CH1 and CH40 and 1.42 on CH20. I used my dad's antenna analyzer rather than the radio to get these readings. I honestly think that's the best that I'm going to get. I'm unsure if I truly want to buy a 4' FireFly because this seems like a comfortable height for my offroading.

This morning I received some skips on 38 LSB. I had two CB'ers acknowledge my callsign (732 Colorado). So, I guess my SWR isn't too bad with the right conditions.

 

Thanks man! I actually removed all of it. Brought the SWR down more. Not as much as I wanted. SWR on CH1 & CH40 dead on 2.0. CH20 at 1.4. I used my dad's RigExpert AA-54 Antenna Analyzer to get a better reading on the antenna. With that all said, I received some DX this morning and two guys acknowledged my call sign. Pretty stoked about that. Should I buy the 4' Firestik? I'm thinking about keeping what I got and adding a HAM radio to my rig.

By the way, what antenna are you using to get your SWR readings?

 

Honestly, you should be getting pretty good readings (yours look good enough for me) if you have a solid ground and antenna over 2ft, which it looks like you have a 3'. I have a Firestik 3' and get pretty good readings. Did you play with the screw on the end of the antenna at all?

 

I've got the antenna dialed in pretty well. Yes, I used the tuning screw. All done in an open field. I've grounded the mount the the frame of the truck with a braided grounding strap. I checked all continuity and everything seems to check out.

 

Subbed for later... I've been having the toughest time getting my setup going with good SWR. Started with magnet mount that had SWR a little over 2.0 but that one kept getting knocked off while on trail.

Just picked up 4' firefly, spring, quick disconnect and got it mounted in the bed but my SWR is over 3. I am going to try grounding it better. If that doesn't work I might try a different mounting location.

 

It’s really surprising that you got a SWR of 2.0 with a magnet mount. Was it one of those Wilson Steel Whips? Just wondering, how are you tuning your antennas?

 

i think it’s a midland antenna. I was sitting in the most open field I could find. Adjusting the height of the antenna like a few millimeters at a time.

The magnetic antenna had a screw about halfway down to adjust it. I’m hoping the firestik should be a lot easier once I get it grounded.

 

What kind of wiring do I need to power my CB (in the center console) to my AUX fuse panel (next to the battery)?

I assume my radio will come with wiring with an in-line fuse (that I won't need) and can cut out, but what gauge/length of wiring to I need to run through the firewall, etc.?