Howdy all, I have two questions:
1)
I installed and tuned my own antenna using some guides I found on the Internet. I am new to CB radio, so I want to be sure I have this right. The antennae is a firestik brand, fiberglass antenna. I want to check with someone who actually knows what they are doing, to make sure my readings are OK:
When I originally finished tuning, I was getting an SWR something like 1.5 on channel 40, and something like 1.8 on channel 1. This was with the cap installed on the end of the antenna. I read on one of the sites, that you should put some hairspray under the cap so it would be less likely to come off if it hit something. Well, after I put the hairspray on, my SWR is now reading about 2.1 on channel 40, and somewhere around 1.5 on channel 1. Is 2.1 still a safe level, and could it hurt anything? Most of the sites I looked at said it should be UNDER 2. Should I mess with this thing anymore or leave it alone? It would be a pain to get that cap back off now...
2) The cheap $30 meter I bought also has a power meter on itl. It is only showing somewhere around 2.5 - 3 watts of output power, regardless of the channel I am on. Is this normal? Shouldn't I be seeing about 4 watts? The radio is a Cobra. I don't remember the model. but I paid around $120 for it a few years ago...
Thanks in advance.
Newbie trying to tune own antenna
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ERNIE
- Super Mud-Duck
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badluck
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me personally, i would try to get it about the same across the board. I check mine on 1,20, and 40. I do not know alot about the fiberglass antennas as I have a Predator 10k. always been easier for me to tune the steel whip antennas. Also not sure about the hairspray idea either, never heard of that. I've seen guys leave the caps off, but like I said I don' know alot about the fiberglass ones. On your power reading, was that just dead key(holding the key down without speaking into the mike)? or speaking into the mic? If you were just keying down and not talking into mic I would say that is about right on a cobra radio. And that meter is probably a little off. Sorry could help further.
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'Doc
ERNIE,
Your initial SWR tends to say that the antenna is a tiny bit too short. If while tuning that antenna, you cut any of that wire off, leave it alone. If you just folded it back onto it's self, or just sort of pushed it down into the antenna, pull it out slightly.
The 'hair spray' thingy. All it should do is make the cap harder to come off, which is fine, within reason. A little bit can go a long ways, though. I have no idea what 'hair spray''s electrical properties are, but it sounds like it's not exactly good to get inside an antenna, doesn't it? I don't think I'd do that anymore.
An SWR of around 2:1 isn't exactly the best in the world but it's certainly 'livable'. Depending on how difficult it would be to do that tuning again, you have a choice of just living with it, or 'fixing' it. There really isn't going to be -that- much improvement in your signal if you get it down lower. Some, as far as the radio is concerned but nothing life threatening to it.
Can't honestly say that I've ever heard of your SWR meter, which isn't a 'put down' by any means. If calibrated correctly, it ought to tell you as much as the most expensive SWR meter in the world. If bought new, there should be some instructions that came with it, read and follow those instructions. Some SWR meters do their own 'calibrating' so that the user doesn't have to. Most don't.
The only person I know of who knows all this stuff to start with is 'Al Gore', who invented the internet. The rest of us usually have to ask questions about various things. Unless you're related to ol'Al, don't worry about asking questions.
Have fun.
- 'Doc
Your initial SWR tends to say that the antenna is a tiny bit too short. If while tuning that antenna, you cut any of that wire off, leave it alone. If you just folded it back onto it's self, or just sort of pushed it down into the antenna, pull it out slightly.
The 'hair spray' thingy. All it should do is make the cap harder to come off, which is fine, within reason. A little bit can go a long ways, though. I have no idea what 'hair spray''s electrical properties are, but it sounds like it's not exactly good to get inside an antenna, doesn't it? I don't think I'd do that anymore.
An SWR of around 2:1 isn't exactly the best in the world but it's certainly 'livable'. Depending on how difficult it would be to do that tuning again, you have a choice of just living with it, or 'fixing' it. There really isn't going to be -that- much improvement in your signal if you get it down lower. Some, as far as the radio is concerned but nothing life threatening to it.
Can't honestly say that I've ever heard of your SWR meter, which isn't a 'put down' by any means. If calibrated correctly, it ought to tell you as much as the most expensive SWR meter in the world. If bought new, there should be some instructions that came with it, read and follow those instructions. Some SWR meters do their own 'calibrating' so that the user doesn't have to. Most don't.
The only person I know of who knows all this stuff to start with is 'Al Gore', who invented the internet. The rest of us usually have to ask questions about various things. Unless you're related to ol'Al, don't worry about asking questions.
Have fun.
- 'Doc
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ERNIE
- Super Mud-Duck
- Posts: 9
- Joined: January 6th, 2009, 9:30 am
Hairspray. 
Guess I'll know better next time before I believe everything I read on the Internet. At least the antenna won't have any dry split ends!
I'll try getting the tip off and wiping it out with some water and a q-tip. Beyond that, I don't think I'm going to mess with it any more.
Thanks for the advice....
Guess I'll know better next time before I believe everything I read on the Internet. At least the antenna won't have any dry split ends!
I'll try getting the tip off and wiping it out with some water and a q-tip. Beyond that, I don't think I'm going to mess with it any more.
Thanks for the advice....
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drdx
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Hairspray. That's the first I've heard that one. Not the craziest, but definitely original. Welcome, you are at a good place for knowledge, but like anywhere else, you have to judge for yourself the value of it.
I guess that idea was put out there by the irritated wife of a cb'er who wanted her husband to get fed up with his antenna and get back to his real job.... following her around at the outlet mall, with his sunglasses on so he doesn't get caught staring at other women, and routinely telling his wife "no, those pants don't make your but look too big" and "sure, I LOVE the outlet mall, we don't go often enough". "Sure, I'll hold onto the bags while you fish for my wallet for a credit card that has some room on it". "Hurry up honey, so we can make it to dinner so we're not too late for that Oprah marathon on Lifetime." "Honey, can I listen to the CB on the way home, I'll wear my earphone and I won't even stick that ugly antenna on the roof of our peach colored minivan, the one I drive daily since you got that Lexus, I'll just lay the antenna down on the back seat under those bags" "Sure, you can check your Myspace for new friends on my Iphone while I drive. You sure have a lot of tupperware parties out of town" "Honey, you're the best" -drdx
I guess that idea was put out there by the irritated wife of a cb'er who wanted her husband to get fed up with his antenna and get back to his real job.... following her around at the outlet mall, with his sunglasses on so he doesn't get caught staring at other women, and routinely telling his wife "no, those pants don't make your but look too big" and "sure, I LOVE the outlet mall, we don't go often enough". "Sure, I'll hold onto the bags while you fish for my wallet for a credit card that has some room on it". "Hurry up honey, so we can make it to dinner so we're not too late for that Oprah marathon on Lifetime." "Honey, can I listen to the CB on the way home, I'll wear my earphone and I won't even stick that ugly antenna on the roof of our peach colored minivan, the one I drive daily since you got that Lexus, I'll just lay the antenna down on the back seat under those bags" "Sure, you can check your Myspace for new friends on my Iphone while I drive. You sure have a lot of tupperware parties out of town" "Honey, you're the best" -drdx
Yes it's me, Dollar-98, drdx, the original all maul, shot cawla on workin this no-fade technology.
-drdx
-drdx
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ERNIE
- Super Mud-Duck
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- Joined: January 6th, 2009, 9:30 am
:D You've got that one just about right DRDX, except for the antenna part. I've got mine permanently mounted on the back corner of my truck, next to the tailgate. Big, Ugly, and leaning ever-so-slightly to the left! The woman can put that one in her pipe and smoke it! I have to put up with two cats and poodle in my house...
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drdx
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Whoa, 2 cats and a poodle. Hang on........yep, according to my calculations you qualify for a dedicated radio vehicle and budget to keep it constantly in a state of upgrading, and you should never have to hit that outlet mall. If you have any pictures of her smoking a pipe, some folks on here may pay money for that. Now I wilL not mentIon any Names and just relaX and let you figure out who.
-drdx
-drdx
Yes it's me, Dollar-98, drdx, the original all maul, shot cawla on workin this no-fade technology.
-drdx
-drdx
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ERNIE
- Super Mud-Duck
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- Joined: January 6th, 2009, 9:30 am
I closed the door after the first weird reading, and pulled away from the house, still no dice.
---
It ended up being that #$%#$ hairspray after all. I pulled the antenna cap off last night and cleaned it out, & wiped the antenna tip real good. I did not move or adjust the wire at all. I Put the cap back on, and now my original SWR readings are back! Maybe I should have tried beer instead.
All is well that ends well!
---
It ended up being that #$%#$ hairspray after all. I pulled the antenna cap off last night and cleaned it out, & wiped the antenna tip real good. I did not move or adjust the wire at all. I Put the cap back on, and now my original SWR readings are back! Maybe I should have tried beer instead.
All is well that ends well!
-
ERNIE
- Super Mud-Duck
- Posts: 9
- Joined: January 6th, 2009, 9:30 am
I closed the door after the first weird reading, and pulled away from the house, still no dice.
---
It ended up being that #$%#$ hairspray after all. I pulled the antenna cap off last night and cleaned it out, & wiped the antenna tip real good. I did not move or adjust the wire at all. I Put the cap back on, and now my original SWR readings are back! Maybe I should have tried beer instead.
All is well that ends well!
---
It ended up being that #$%#$ hairspray after all. I pulled the antenna cap off last night and cleaned it out, & wiped the antenna tip real good. I did not move or adjust the wire at all. I Put the cap back on, and now my original SWR readings are back! Maybe I should have tried beer instead.
All is well that ends well!
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'Doc
BEER works amazingly well depending on it's application!
Completely beside the point.
Where I live is the 'Chock' (pronounced 'chalk', just like the blackboard stuff) capitol of the world. It's a home made beer. Get's it's name from the chalky looking goo in the bottom of the bottles. Never seen a 'proof' rating for it, depending on who makes it, it probably could have an 'octane' rating too. Just one word of warning, don't consume any of that chalky goo! It's what carpet manufacturers use to stress test carpeting between TVs and bathrooms. Works real good for constipation too! The emergency room people around here have learned to ask if patients have consumed any 'chock' beer when they present with unbearable migraine headaches. Also used in interrogations by secret spy organizations, worse than torture I hear.
- 'Doc
The name is also attributed to 'Choctaw' indians. I think that's to put the blame on someone else though.
Completely beside the point.
Where I live is the 'Chock' (pronounced 'chalk', just like the blackboard stuff) capitol of the world. It's a home made beer. Get's it's name from the chalky looking goo in the bottom of the bottles. Never seen a 'proof' rating for it, depending on who makes it, it probably could have an 'octane' rating too. Just one word of warning, don't consume any of that chalky goo! It's what carpet manufacturers use to stress test carpeting between TVs and bathrooms. Works real good for constipation too! The emergency room people around here have learned to ask if patients have consumed any 'chock' beer when they present with unbearable migraine headaches. Also used in interrogations by secret spy organizations, worse than torture I hear.
- 'Doc
The name is also attributed to 'Choctaw' indians. I think that's to put the blame on someone else though.
-
'Doc
BEER works amazingly well depending on it's application!
Completely beside the point.
Where I live is the 'Chock' (pronounced 'chalk', just like the blackboard stuff) capitol of the world. It's a home made beer. Get's it's name from the chalky looking goo in the bottom of the bottles. Never seen a 'proof' rating for it, depending on who makes it, it probably could have an 'octane' rating too. Just one word of warning, don't consume any of that chalky goo! It's what carpet manufacturers use to stress test carpeting between TVs and bathrooms. Works real good for constipation too! The emergency room people around here have learned to ask if patients have consumed any 'chock' beer when they present with unbearable migraine headaches. Also used in interrogations by secret spy organizations, worse than torture I hear.
- 'Doc
The name is also attributed to 'Choctaw' indians. I think that's to put the blame on someone else though.
Completely beside the point.
Where I live is the 'Chock' (pronounced 'chalk', just like the blackboard stuff) capitol of the world. It's a home made beer. Get's it's name from the chalky looking goo in the bottom of the bottles. Never seen a 'proof' rating for it, depending on who makes it, it probably could have an 'octane' rating too. Just one word of warning, don't consume any of that chalky goo! It's what carpet manufacturers use to stress test carpeting between TVs and bathrooms. Works real good for constipation too! The emergency room people around here have learned to ask if patients have consumed any 'chock' beer when they present with unbearable migraine headaches. Also used in interrogations by secret spy organizations, worse than torture I hear.
- 'Doc
The name is also attributed to 'Choctaw' indians. I think that's to put the blame on someone else though.
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Mr B
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WOW ... You are sure right about the internet being full of misinformation.ERNIE wrote:I closed the door after the first weird reading, and pulled away from the house, still no dice.
It ended up being that #$%#$ hairspray after all. I pulled the antenna cap off last night and cleaned it out, & wiped the antenna tip real good. I did not move or adjust the wire at all. I Put the cap back on, and now my original SWR readings are back! Maybe I should have tried beer instead.
All is well that ends well!
If you think that hairspray caused your SWR to change you are thinking wrong.
The only thing the hairspray would do is help stick the cap onto the antenna.
No doubt, when you removed the cap, cleaned off the hairspray, and put it back on you moved the coils of wire inside the jacket.
If your antenna is that sensitive to removing and installing the cap you might need to look at your grounding and/or coax.
Something aint right with that antenna system cause you should be able to get it down to 1:1 with or without the cap and hairspray.
If you tune the antenna on channel 19 to less than 1:1 and it rises to more than 1:5 on channel 1 or 40 then something is wrong.
Could be the way it is installed, the coax, or the cheap made antenna itself.
Actually, the best thing you could do is toss that wire wound dummy load in the trash and buy a real antenna like a Monkey Made,
a 10K, or a Wilson 1000. The less coiled wire ... the better.
I am not trying to be a smart **Censored** or anything ... just giving you some really good advice.
You will use that antenna for a long time and will get a lot of enjoyment from your radio ... dont go cheap, cause the good stuff aint really that expensive.
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ERNIE
- Super Mud-Duck
- Posts: 9
- Joined: January 6th, 2009, 9:30 am
Yeah, I went el-cheapo on the antenna.... The old lady is out of work right now, and I have lots of bills!
At the time I figured a cheap antenna was better than no antenna. In the end, I probably could have gotten a higher quality whip antenna and paid someone to tune it for all the aggravation this has been, not to mention the cost of the meter. Then again, I learned a lot in the process, and better to tear up the cheap antenna in the learning process!
Can you get any decent quality bottom loaded antennas that will fit the same base as the fiberglass ones? I put a ton of work into the mounting job, and wouldn't relish the idea of re-doing it down the road if I upgrade.
BTW: I grounded the mounting bracket to the truck chassis using a fairly heavy-gauge wire, and tested with a voltmeter against a +12v power source, so I'm fairly confident it is not a grounding problem.
At the time I figured a cheap antenna was better than no antenna. In the end, I probably could have gotten a higher quality whip antenna and paid someone to tune it for all the aggravation this has been, not to mention the cost of the meter. Then again, I learned a lot in the process, and better to tear up the cheap antenna in the learning process!
Can you get any decent quality bottom loaded antennas that will fit the same base as the fiberglass ones? I put a ton of work into the mounting job, and wouldn't relish the idea of re-doing it down the road if I upgrade.
BTW: I grounded the mounting bracket to the truck chassis using a fairly heavy-gauge wire, and tested with a voltmeter against a +12v power source, so I'm fairly confident it is not a grounding problem.
