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Post by jay4x4 on Aug 15, 2014 22:09:21 GMT -5
I'm back, going to go through an update on my other thread since its been a while, but wanted searched and didn't find a thread with any CB Antenna talk. I came across a deal for a brand new Cobra 19 and a K30 mag mount, before realizing how barebones the cobra was. Anyways I hooked it up and cant get a good SWR, Either its good on the low end or high end, and im not talking about ch.1: 1.0 and ch.40: 1.5. Its more like ch.1:1.0 and ch.40 3.0+. Ive tried tuning it every which way with no luck. I'm just thinking it being such a short base load antenna that it isn't going to get better. Infact I am thinking about selling it and going for a better set up like a galaxy or bearcat with a wilson 5000 mag mount and get a peak and tune since I'm actually enjoying listening and talking on it (turning to a hobby) instead of just off road coms. Anywho what does everyone else have? anyone with a 102 whip? pics? also any advice would be nice, would post in a cb forum but hate singing up for stuff like that only to use it once in a while.
Thanks.
I'll be updating my new member thread a bit later if anyone cares lol.
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Post by bdmontero on Aug 16, 2014 10:31:05 GMT -5
Grounding is key. Also triple check the antenna and its plastic washers. The best antenna I've ever used was a 78" whip antenna from radio shack. It was 20 +tax. SWR is the most important thing. Check it on 1, 19, and 40.
Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by jay4x4 on Aug 16, 2014 11:00:39 GMT -5
Grounding is key. Also triple check the antenna and its plastic washers. The best antenna I've ever used was a 78" whip antenna from radio shack. It was 20 +tax. SWR is the most important thing. Check it on 1, 19, and 40. Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards I have the radio grounded good, the antenna is just a magnetic mount so I think the ground runs off the radio or its base. I have heard of others with my same problem, but of I could remedy it without a new antenna that would be better. I've also didn't bunch up the extra coax cable either. stumped at this point thinking about paying $20 to get it tuned but just don't want to just have them say the antenna is narrow banded. |
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Post by bdmontero on Aug 16, 2014 16:21:29 GMT -5
Errrrrr ya the only magnetic base mount I've seen work is a cobra antenna. It was also 100.
Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by jay4x4 on Aug 16, 2014 16:30:07 GMT -5
Errrrrr ya the only magnetic base mount I've seen work is a cobra antenna. It was also 100. Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards Lol came recommended by es_sport. I think a Wilson mag mount would be good. Might pick up a bearcat and Lil wil today. If not I'm debating on a 102 whip or Wilson flex.... I'll put some pics up when I get it settled |
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Post by bdmontero on Aug 17, 2014 15:35:42 GMT -5
To get the best SWR the antenna needs to be on the center of the roof(this is debatable). Also if it's put on the rear of the vehicle it needs to be on the driver side (think of how they trim trees hanging over road ways). The cable I bought is from Napa and was EXPENSIVE. the swr does not move at all when I test it. Usually stays at 0-1 on the meter.;D
Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by jay4x4 on Aug 17, 2014 20:52:17 GMT -5
To get the best SWR the antenna needs to be on the center of the roof(this is debatable). Also if it's put on the rear of the vehicle it needs to be on the driver side (think of how they trim trees hanging over road ways). The cable I bought is from Napa and was EXPENSIVE. the swr does not move at all when I test it. Usually stays at 0-1 on the meter.;D Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards Nice numbers! Didn't know you could get that low. So I just Picked up the Uniden Bearcar 980 and the lil will. Man oh man the features this thing has and the non-cheapness compared to my old cobra 19 lol. Although it cant really be modded or anything it is a decent radio for my purpose. Right from hook up I got good SWRs with no tuning really, If the built in SWR meter is accurate  ...plan to check it out in the next day or so with my actual mini SWR meter lol. Caught a few convos with a few locals and caught a bit if skip from New York. Still more I need to work with it but everything seems to be in working order. Would have loved a wilson 1000 or a predator 10k seeing as I'm still not getting the receive I would like (live 1 mile away from the I-15 and kind of dead) but another 2ft would be too much, although I don't wheel where there are a lot of trees being from Deserty so cal.
I plan to finish a few things up tomorrow and will take some pics where I mounted it and the antenna and radio (didn't fit in din slot.
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Post by jay4x4 on Aug 18, 2014 13:09:30 GMT -5
 Not the best picture. Resized it on phone so let me know if it's too small. Just did official test with my Swr meter and seems the built in one is accurate. Getting 1.4 or lower through the whole band without tuning... way better than my k30 lol. |
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Post by sxharr05 on Aug 27, 2014 7:09:59 GMT -5
Huh. I've got my 880 mounted in the same spot. Mic, too. I've got a 4' Firestik on a jamb mount on the left side of the hatch. Great choice with the Uniden.
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Post by jay4x4 on Sept 3, 2014 10:18:26 GMT -5
Huh. I've got my 880 mounted in the same spot. Mic, too. I've got a 4' Firestik on a jamb mount on the left side of the hatch. Great choice with the Uniden. Nice! pretty much same radio except the 980 has SSB which I could care less for but got it in a deal lol. How do you like the firestik? any pics? I've seen you sport in the showroom thread but couldn't see the antenna. That was my orginally plan but was persuaded to get a magnetic mount, which I am glad I did, so I can easily put on roof so everything is on the highest point on the vehicle without causing directional transmissions. Probably really doesn't matter is sole intention was for off road coms tho lol. |
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Post by edcentinela on Sept 13, 2014 15:51:00 GMT -5
Huh. I've got my 880 mounted in the same spot. Mic, too. I've got a 4' Firestik on a jamb mount on the left side of the hatch. Great choice with the Uniden. Maybe the SWR meter was bad. From channe1-40 there is not too much bandwidth, that means that a brand new magnet antenna should work the first time with low SWR. |
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Post by jay4x4 on Sept 16, 2014 1:21:22 GMT -5
Huh. I've got my 880 mounted in the same spot. Mic, too. I've got a 4' Firestik on a jamb mount on the left side of the hatch. Great choice with the Uniden. Maybe the SWR meter was bad. From channe1-40 there is not too much bandwidth, that means that a brand new magnet antenna should work the first time with low SWR. I was thinking that, but gave me good SWRs with my lil will and the SWR readings matched the CBs built in one, unless they are both off lol. Maybe I just got a lemon k30. I doubt they would get such good reviews if they were all like that. |
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Post by sxharr05 on Oct 14, 2014 12:48:08 GMT -5
Huh. I've got my 880 mounted in the same spot. Mic, too. I've got a 4' Firestik on a jamb mount on the left side of the hatch. Great choice with the Uniden. Maybe the SWR meter was bad. From channe1-40 there is not too much bandwidth, that means that a brand new magnet antenna should work the first time with low SWR. Sorry for the late reply. I'll try to get some pics of the antenna later. |
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Post by jay4x4 on Oct 15, 2014 0:00:15 GMT -5
Maybe the SWR meter was bad. From channe1-40 there is not too much bandwidth, that means that a brand new magnet antenna should work the first time with low SWR. Sorry for the late reply. I'll try to get some pics of the antenna later. I seen some one's on here in the back and looked nice. |
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Post by bdmontero on Oct 15, 2014 10:59:41 GMT -5
This is my setup. Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards Attachments:
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...plan to check it out in the next day or so with my actual mini SWR meter lol. Caught a few convos with a few locals and caught a bit if skip from New York. Still more I need to work with it but everything seems to be in working order. Would have loved a wilson 1000 or a predator 10k seeing as I'm still not getting the receive I would like (live 1 mile away from the I-15 and kind of dead) but another 2ft would be too much, although I don't wheel where there are a lot of trees being from Deserty so cal.
