CB Radio - Page 4

Crmzendrgone · 10-28-2009, 11:59 PM

Ok. I do have it centered on my roof of my yukon. So sounds like I need to get it tuned. Your saying that tuning it will improve my distance out? Or should I be looking into another antenna?

BernieB · 10-29-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crmzendrgone

Ok. I do have it centered on my roof of my yukon. So sounds like I need to get it tuned. Your saying that tuning it will improve my distance out? Or should I be looking into another antenna?

Well, the 'Lil Will wouldn't be my first choice of an antenna. I'd probably go for a K-40, but tuning is the place to start, along with checking to make sure the radio itself isn't damaged and is putting out its rated 4 watts. Once that's done, then you can start thinking about things to improve it if it's still not working as well as you like.

Crmzendrgone · 10-29-2009, 12:13 AM

What do I need to look for as far as damaged. could the antenna be damaged? Say all is good how do I see if it is putting out 4 watts??

BernieB · 10-29-2009, 12:21 AM

Get yourself a decent SWR/Power meter and it'll be able to check both. Should run under $35

As for visible damage... you won't be able to see any on the radio, but any visible damage to the antenna (like a gash in the cable, bare wire showing, the top 6" missing) would be reason to replace it.

bradrhale · 10-29-2009, 06:59 AM

i dont have mixed antanaes. at the moment, i have a pair of francis. i believe i am having problems with them as i know the radio is good but still cant get the SWR tuner to do right. so i am going to the adjustable firesticks instead.
you did answer my question though. i didnt want to spend any extra money on something else that didnt work except for the dummy antanae. now that i have repositioned my brackets after putting in the roll bar, i should be able to get out a bit further. half the stick is clearing the cab now where before only the top 3rd did.

BernieB · 10-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

i dont have mixed antanaes. at the moment, i have a pair of francis. i believe i am having problems with them as i know the radio is good but still cant get the SWR tuner to do right. so i am going to the adjustable firesticks instead.
you did answer my question though. i didnt want to spend any extra money on something else that didnt work except for the dummy antanae. now that i have repositioned my brackets after putting in the roll bar, i should be able to get out a bit further. half the stick is clearing the cab now where before only the top 3rd did.

A couple of things to keep in mind when tuning dual antennas:

The antennas work off each other, and need proper separation. Never mount them closer than 48" from each other. Ideal separation would be between 4 and 6 feet.
Cophased (dual) antennas work best when they are top or center loaded, with top loaded being the best.
Always tune dual antennas equally. Whatever you do to one should also be done to the other.
You need a minimum of about 60% of the antenna tip to be above the roof line.
When testing SWR always do it outside, in a clear area away from buildings and with the doors closed and you inside the vehicle. You want to make your checks with everything as close to what it would be when you are driving.

bradrhale · 10-30-2009, 11:57 AM

mine are 48 apart, i know. they are almost right there over each bed rail. i see about posting you a pic of my setup so you can see what i am doing. i finally found my 8in wheel for the spare. only costs me my spare tire, not the 35 but the 245 that came with the truck.
ive never tried to tweak duals before as i have always operated off of one. i have also considered buying the presets but the tuneable wsa advised to me by some friends.

BernieB · 10-30-2009, 02:16 PM

Tunable tips are definitely the way to go for most folks. Mine aren't, but I have no fears about trimming antennas to tune them since I have a lot of experience with them, understand the concepts and theory involved, and I've designed antenna systems in the past (all part of getting my first class ticket years ago). It's like the difference between doing your own repairs and maintenance and working as a professional mechanic, just a different level of skills and knowledge but not anything you can't learn if you want to and have the basic abilities.

leolkfrm · 10-30-2009, 07:21 PM

the length of coax also is part of the SWR

BernieB · 10-30-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leolkfrm

the length of coax also is part of the SWR

Yes, but it's not really critical at that wavelength and power level. As long as it's decent quality coax and the excess isn't coiled into a tight loop, it should have a negligible effect on the SWR.

10-28-2009, 11:59 PM	#31
Crmzendrgone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,420	Ok. I do have it centered on my roof of my yukon. So sounds like I need to get it tuned. Your saying that tuning it will improve my distance out? Or should I be looking into another antenna? __________________ ENGINES PRODUCE POWER. MOTORS RECEIVE POWER. https://lastroundbestround.com/Home_Page.html

10-29-2009, 12:13 AM	#33
Crmzendrgone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,420	What do I need to look for as far as damaged. could the antenna be damaged? Say all is good how do I see if it is putting out 4 watts?? __________________ ENGINES PRODUCE POWER. MOTORS RECEIVE POWER. https://lastroundbestround.com/Home_Page.html

10-29-2009, 12:21 AM	#34
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	Get yourself a decent SWR/Power meter and it'll be able to check both. Should run under $35 As for visible damage... you won't be able to see any on the radio, but any visible damage to the antenna (like a gash in the cable, bare wire showing, the top 6" missing) would be reason to replace it. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

10-30-2009, 02:16 PM	#38
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	Tunable tips are definitely the way to go for most folks. Mine aren't, but I have no fears about trimming antennas to tune them since I have a lot of experience with them, understand the concepts and theory involved, and I've designed antenna systems in the past (all part of getting my first class ticket years ago). It's like the difference between doing your own repairs and maintenance and working as a professional mechanic, just a different level of skills and knowledge but not anything you can't learn if you want to and have the basic abilities. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

10-30-2009, 07:21 PM	#39
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	the length of coax also is part of the SWR __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

10-29-2009, 06:59 AM	#35
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	i dont have mixed antanaes. at the moment, i have a pair of francis. i believe i am having problems with them as i know the radio is good but still cant get the SWR tuner to do right. so i am going to the adjustable firesticks instead. you did answer my question though. i didnt want to spend any extra money on something else that didnt work except for the dummy antanae. now that i have repositioned my brackets after putting in the roll bar, i should be able to get out a bit further. half the stick is clearing the cab now where before only the top 3rd did.

10-30-2009, 11:57 AM	#37
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	mine are 48 apart, i know. they are almost right there over each bed rail. i see about posting you a pic of my setup so you can see what i am doing. i finally found my 8in wheel for the spare. only costs me my spare tire, not the 35 but the 245 that came with the truck. ive never tried to tweak duals before as i have always operated off of one. i have also considered buying the presets but the tuneable wsa advised to me by some friends.

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