Communications Equipment / Radios

SWR down to 1.5:1 now after taking apart the antenna mounts and reinstalling them. In doing so I was able to make sure the paint under them was completely scraped off.

Sam Spade wrote:

jshupe wrote:

Do you think moving them further to the outside of the bed might get me under 2.0?

NO. I wouldn't mess with it now.

The only really good place for a communications antenna is on the roof assuming that you have a metal roof.

And there is no real evidence that two antennas is any better than one. They might be directional.....to the sides.

Thanks. I don't plan to transmit often, mostly receive... So not terribly worried about the SWR readings.

jshupe wrote:

Do you think moving them further to the outside of the bed might get me under 2.0?

NO. I wouldn't mess with it now.

The only really good place for a communications antenna is on the roof assuming that you have a metal roof.

And there is no real evidence that two antennas is any better than one. They might be directional.....to the sides.

Sam Spade wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
Is that 2.3:1? Yikes...

And it won't be getting any better either with that mounting location. 2.3 won't blow anything up but it won't be very efficient either.

How do you figure on programming the scanner ? Or is it mostly for use close to home ??

Do you think moving them further to the outside of the bed might get me under 2.0? I don't have any experience with setting up CBs - this is my first time doing so.

It's a higher end scanner with a GPS module and a SD card with a database for the continental US. Adjusts the programs according to the database on the SD card and coordinates from the GPS.

SCVJeff wrote:
Is that 2.3:1? Yikes...

And it won't be getting any better either with that mounting location. 2.3 won't blow anything up but it won't be very efficient either. With all the skip and power line noise, you probably won't notice the difference.

How do you figure on programming the scanner ? Or is it mostly for use close to home ??

Are both of those antennas for the CB? If so, when they are to close to each other for a good match. If one is for the CB and the other is for the scanner, the scanner antenna may be causing the poor match. Also move the truck away from the house and trees.

SCVJeff wrote:
Is that 2.3:1? Yikes...That match should be below at least 1.5:1 for any kind of reasonable performance. How close is the spring to the chrome window frame? It's hard to tell but gotta work on that match. The good news is that's a nice install ! I'm taking notes thinking about mine :)

I see you went with real communication speakers... Good move

Yeah. SWR started out over 10... I was happy to get it anywhere close to the ideal range. Accomplished this by tuning the tips, pulling out the excess cable and bundling it more loosely, and going back to scrape more paint off where the mounts meet the bed. Was considering doing a better ground, but I tested the theory by running jumper cables from the frame to one of the antenna mounts and the SWR actually went up. Not sure if it would be different if both antennas had the same amount of grounding.

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Edit: maybe I can move them further apart. I have them 6" in from the bed rails so that they line up behind the bulk of the cab. Once again an aesthetic decision, but they'd have slightly less obstruction at the edge. Just don't want to go drilling a lot of holes in the bed of my truck. Any thoughts?





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I might have to move the antennas, just not sure to where. I can't use a mounting bracket that places them into the bed because that will interfere with my tonneau cover. The antennas are currently only a couple inches from the back window. If anyone has any suggestions of other things to try... please let me know.

Is that 2.3:1? Yikes...That match should be below at least 1.5:1 for any kind of reasonable performance. How close is the spring to the chrome window frame? It's hard to tell but gotta work on that match. The good news is that's a nice install ! I'm taking notes thinking about mine :)

I see you went with real communication speakers... Good move

Calicajun wrote:
jshupe, nice looking install job.

Thanks. I'm happy with how it turned out.

We travel with the CB when heading south from NY. The truckers are on it and they let you know how to work around traffic. Especially on I95. There is an app called WAZE it gives current traffic reports from users like us. Very Useful. I also was caught in a lightning storm that would make you find religion. Since then I always have a weather radio with me. They make them specifically. I am also a ham and will have that soon as well. There are areas that we have traveled and will travel where there is no cell service. So its nice to know that I can call someone on the radio, should we need help.