On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 12:23:39 -0500, Dave Hall
wrote:

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 13:48:06 GMT, Lancer wrote:

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 01:07:55 GMT, "Rob" wrote:

I installed a CB in my Jeep Rubicon for use when my buddies and I go trail
riding. I mounted a *ahem* 48" Radio Shack fiberglass whip on a right angle
antenna mount directly to the rear bumper. I ran a 20' Radio Shack 50 ohm
cable from the antenna to the transmitter mounted under the seat (Cobra 75
WX ST).
Power is supplied by a 4 ga. wire directly from the battery. I scraped off
paint under one of the seat mounting brackets and bolted the wire to that to
get a good ground.

The problem I'm having is calibrating the SWR meter. When key and hold down
the mic, I turn the meter's calibration knob all the way to the right and
the needle is still short of the calibration mark.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rob Kulp


First check what Frank and Dave suggested, then try this:

(hopefully your antenna is one of Radio Shacks adjustable ones)

1. Find out which channel gives you the lowest forward calibration
reading (1 or 40)

2. Note that reading

3. flip the switch to check the reverse reading.

4. Note that reading.

5. Change to the channel that gave you the highest forward calibration
reading.

6. Adjust the reading to same level as step 2.

7. flip the switch to check the reverse reading.

8. This will give you a "relative" SWR reading.

9. Depending on which channel gave you the lowest "relative" reading:
If your lowest reading was on channel 1, your antenna is too long.
If your lowest reading was on channel 40, your antenna is
too short.

Adjust your antenna.

And if this works as described, when you are done, take your radio to
a local tech to determine why your power out is so low....

Dave
"Sandbagger"

A really mismatched antenna could cause a low forward reading on an
SWR meter. Anyway, he did figure out that he had his meter backwards.

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 20:46:25 GMT, Lancer wrote:


Adjust your antenna.

And if this works as described, when you are done, take your radio to
a local tech to determine why your power out is so low....

Dave
"Sandbagger"

A really mismatched antenna could cause a low forward reading on an
SWR meter. Anyway, he did figure out that he had his meter backwards.

I sort of figured that was going to be his problem. A simple problem
that newbies sometimes make.

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj

On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 06:51:27 -0500, Dave Hall
wrote:

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 20:46:25 GMT, Lancer wrote:


Adjust your antenna.

And if this works as described, when you are done, take your radio to
a local tech to determine why your power out is so low....

Dave
"Sandbagger"

A really mismatched antenna could cause a low forward reading on an
SWR meter. Anyway, he did figure out that he had his meter backwards.

I sort of figured that was going to be his problem. A simple problem
that newbies sometimes make.

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj

Yes, everyone has to do that at least once.

Don't buy Rat Shack junk!
Dave!

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 01:07:55 GMT, "Rob" wrote:

I installed a CB in my Jeep Rubicon for use when my buddies and I go trail
riding. I mounted a *ahem* 48" Radio Shack fiberglass whip on a right angle
antenna mount directly to the rear bumper. I ran a 20' Radio Shack 50 ohm
cable from the antenna to the transmitter mounted under the seat (Cobra 75
WX ST).
Power is supplied by a 4 ga. wire directly from the battery. I scraped off
paint under one of the seat mounting brackets and bolted the wire to that to
get a good ground.

The problem I'm having is calibrating the SWR meter. When key and hold down
the mic, I turn the meter's calibration knob all the way to the right and
the needle is still short of the calibration mark.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rob Kulp




-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 15:20:20 -0500, Dave or Debby
wrote:

Don't buy Rat Shack junk!
Dave!


You mean don't buy any of Daves junk. You crow about your 25 years of
experience, but how many times have you answered someones question for
help? Why would anyone believe a word you say?

Try ignoring the cal function on the meter for a minute and just flip
through all your channels 1-40. At some point in the middle, you should hit
a low. If it's lowest point is on channel 1, your antenna is tuned to a
channel lower than 1. You need to shorten it. Many people will argue how low
it has to be but 1.5:1 or lower should be fine. There is one thing to keep
in mind. You said the antenna is bumper mounted. This can create problems
because alot of the vehicle (the antenna's ground plane) is beside the
antenna instead of under it. This is not to say that you can't get decent
performance with a 4 ft. bumper mounted but it depends on the vehicle and
the antenna. You may want to try a 6 ft. whip later.

Chris



I installed a CB in my Jeep Rubicon for use when my buddies and I go trail
riding. I mounted a *ahem* 48" Radio Shack fiberglass whip on a right
angle
antenna mount directly to the rear bumper. I ran a 20' Radio Shack 50 ohm
cable from the antenna to the transmitter mounted under the seat (Cobra 75
WX ST).
Power is supplied by a 4 ga. wire directly from the battery. I scraped off
paint under one of the seat mounting brackets and bolted the wire to that
to
get a good ground.

The problem I'm having is calibrating the SWR meter. When key and hold
down
the mic, I turn the meter's calibration knob all the way to the right and
the needle is still short of the calibration mark.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rob Kulp