Cobra 29LX and Wilson Little Wil- SWR Help (Extremely High)
- Thread starter Allof75
- Start date
ReconZJ
Observer
This is the same setup I have on my ZJ (Firestick 4', with the spring and disco), and I don't believe the quick disco is the source of your issue. I've had this setup on there since 2001.
If you can't locate it on the roof (mounted on a rack or your roof rails), then I agree that a higher location than existing may help.
If the spring isn't part of the antenna, I'd try it without the spring, too.
I think the main issue may be the long, close, parallel run of the antenna and the right rear pillar of the truck. It might be unavoidable, but it's not a good thing....it looks to be just a couple of inches away, and if it is, that's close enough that it would seem like it might operate more like a feed line than an antenna.
Just have a couple of suggestions/thoughts:
If you can find a local ham w/ an antenna analyzer, that would save you some time. Way easier and faster to troubleshoot things with something like an MFJ-259 than a radio and SWR meter. This would also quickly tell you if the problem you're seeing is the cable/antenna or the radio. The next best thing would be a cross-needle SWR meter. (The only kind to have, in my opinion.)
You probably already know this, but SWR is only important in a limited context. By that, I mean high swr *might* mean you have an antenna problem or a cabling problem. But not always. High SWR is mostly important in that it can damage a radio or cause the power to be reduced to protect the radio. But if this is only happening on a couple of channels, maybe because of interactions between the antenna and truck, then maybe the simplest solution is to not use those channels.
Finally, if I had to go back and forth into a garage every day, and wanted a CB antenna, I'd get a base loaded antenna w/ a steel whip, and mount it on the side of the hood, near where many cars have their FM antennas. I'd find one long enough to make the top about 7' high, or less. If the whip is flexible, that should get you through the average parking garage with only hitting the support beams and maybe some pipes. Won't hurt the beams, pipes, or antenna. I do that all the time with a roof mounted 2-meter antenna on my truck. You can't do that with a fiberglass antenna, you'll crack it eventually.
One other thing to try, would be changing the bracket and moving the antenna back a couple of inches.
I think the main issue may be the long, close, parallel run of the antenna and the right rear pillar of the truck. It might be unavoidable, but it's not a good thing....it looks to be just a couple of inches away, and if it is, that's close enough that it would seem like it might operate more like a feed line than an antenna.
Just have a couple of suggestions/thoughts:
If you can find a local ham w/ an antenna analyzer, that would save you some time. Way easier and faster to troubleshoot things with something like an MFJ-259 than a radio and SWR meter. This would also quickly tell you if the problem you're seeing is the cable/antenna or the radio. The next best thing would be a cross-needle SWR meter. (The only kind to have, in my opinion.)
You probably already know this, but SWR is only important in a limited context. By that, I mean high swr *might* mean you have an antenna problem or a cabling problem. But not always. High SWR is mostly important in that it can damage a radio or cause the power to be reduced to protect the radio. But if this is only happening on a couple of channels, maybe because of interactions between the antenna and truck, then maybe the simplest solution is to not use those channels.
Finally, if I had to go back and forth into a garage every day, and wanted a CB antenna, I'd get a base loaded antenna w/ a steel whip, and mount it on the side of the hood, near where many cars have their FM antennas. I'd find one long enough to make the top about 7' high, or less. If the whip is flexible, that should get you through the average parking garage with only hitting the support beams and maybe some pipes. Won't hurt the beams, pipes, or antenna. I do that all the time with a roof mounted 2-meter antenna on my truck. You can't do that with a fiberglass antenna, you'll crack it eventually.
One other thing to try, would be changing the bracket and moving the antenna back a couple of inches.
4x4junkie
Explorer
Here's something you may be able to try...
Try bending the bracket slightly so that the antenna is kicked back at a slight angle away from the vehicle body (maybe 10-15° or so). This helped on a buddy's CJ, though he also did have only about 40% of the antenna above his roof.
If that doesn't do anything for you, then I would suggest getting your roof rack plan out of the way, then mount the antenna up there somewhere. No two ways around the fact the antenna works much better when it's clear of the vehicle body.
Try bending the bracket slightly so that the antenna is kicked back at a slight angle away from the vehicle body (maybe 10-15° or so). This helped on a buddy's CJ, though he also did have only about 40% of the antenna above his roof.
If that doesn't do anything for you, then I would suggest getting your roof rack plan out of the way, then mount the antenna up there somewhere. No two ways around the fact the antenna works much better when it's clear of the vehicle body.
Jakes01234
Explorer
Im having issues with mine also. Dont want to jack the thread but its similar issue.
At 40 my SWR meter is maxed out, At 1 it barely moves (points at one on meter)
Everything is tight and the cable is in good condition.
Any suggestions?
At 40 my SWR meter is maxed out, At 1 it barely moves (points at one on meter)
Everything is tight and the cable is in good condition.
Any suggestions?
Jakes01234
Explorer
Cobra 29 Ltd with a 4 ft firestik mounted on back of jeep and extends 6 inches over roof.
Jakes01234
Explorer
So shorten it, then mount it higher?
Jakes01234
Explorer
The tip has a screw on type of thing. Never even noticed it before.
Jakes01234
Explorer
I unscrewed the adjustable part at the tip of the firestik and removed the lock nut. I now have 1.3-1.7 on all channels
Jakes01234
Explorer
I dont want to start another thread about the cb so hopefully someone sees this..
It no longer squelches.
Any ideas why?
It no longer squelches.
Any ideas why?
4x4junkie
Explorer
With the squelch turned fully all the way up (clockwise) you still hear background noise? If so, then that's almost guaranteed a problem within the radio itself (unless by some chance you're immediately next to a source of noise that's extremely strong, like if the meter is reading S9+ to +30dB on just noise).