How to tune my antenna? HELP!

[reklund5]

What is the best way to tune a CB antenna?  I've got a 4' wilson fiberglass antenna with a tuneable tip on my truck, mounted to the left bedrail, about 13" from the cab.  It's hooked to my radioshack CB with a 12' cable.  I can't seem to get my SWR Readings below 2.5, no matter what.  My cheapo wal mart magnet mount cb on the roof reads like 1.2 and works way better.  What am I doing wrong???  I just purchased the new antenna and mount at the local truckstop today, so it's all new.  the 12' cable is old, and I've heard that a 18' cable is preferred.  Could that be the cause of my high SWR readings?  

I've got a big trip starting on Thursday, so I need to sort this out by then!

Ryan

[reklund5]

last ditch effort for some HELP            

[Mike D]

go to a cb place and ask for a cb tuner thats what my bro used and his works great but he also has duel antennas

[freds40]

SWR meter. Either find someone with one or pick one up. (I've seen them as cheap as $20) To tune it, you are trying to get the meter to read -0- , that means that you are sending out a full signal. To tune the antenna itself depending on the antenna. If it is the type that you slide it into the mount and tighten a set screw, then tuning consists of raising or lowering the antenna in the mount until you meter correctly then retighten the set screw. (1/4 inch up from bottom is usually pretty close) On the fiberglass antennas with the wire wrap, tuning consists of bending or even removing coils at the top until you are sending peak signal. Hope this helps.

[KYOTA]

Recklund you said the antenna is mounted to the bedrail? I've heard that antenna's mounted like this will cause interference from being too close to the cab sheetmetal, so the antenna acts like its only working from the top of the cab up. Thats probably why your magnetic cheapo works better mounted on top of the cab. I have the same Wilson antenna but mounted up front with a fender bracket and works fine, they are good antenna's.

[freds40]

You can run an antenna behind the cab, as long as you have the right antenna. On my tow rig I run a top wound fiberglass antenna. It is the fiberglass style, but the wire is wound tightly probably the last 12-18 inches @ the top. That is where it sends/receives it's signal. With just my T&Ped Galaxy unit, I can reach a solid 20-30miles up and down FWY99. With my little friend turned on, I can reach a bit further than that. 

[toybuilt]

I just play around with all the nobs

[h0nke]

u need an SWR meter. always mount antenna in center on the truck if its a single. i like to alwyas use the roof.

[Cheesemaker]

I've always mounted mine back by the tailgate on the rail.  Never had problems.  I hated it behind the cab, whacked the cab all the time.  Some have a sleeve that slides up or down on the ant. for tuning!  I really like the old bull whips, that way you can mount a flag to it for sandlake!  And for night running on the dunes we run a light to the top! 

[V-Man]

What is the best way to tune a CB antenna?  I've got a 4' wilson fiberglass antenna with a tuneable tip on my truck, mounted to the left bedrail, about 13" from the cab.  It's hooked to my radioshack CB with a 12' cable.  I can't seem to get my SWR Readings below 2.5, no matter what.  My cheapo wal mart magnet mount cb on the roof reads like 1.2 and works way better.  What am I doing wrong???  I just purchased the new antenna and mount at the local truckstop today, so it's all new.  the 12' cable is old, and I've heard that a 18' cable is preferred.  Could that be the cause of my high SWR readings?  

I've got a big trip starting on Thursday, so I need to sort this out by then!

Ryan

  Your too close to the cab. The wilsons are center load antennas. Magmounts on the roof whips,and  helix wounds near the tail gate. 

Personal I think some peoples c.b. antennas should be mount some place special  , that's were they seem to be talking from any ways