SWR Tuning on a 102 " whip

[WNY964x4]

It's often enough to be noticeable, but it won't prevent you from talking out several miles (especially to a fixed station).
Where you'll notice it the most is if for example you leave the house to go to the store or something, your signal won't be as strong as when you're turned around on your way back home, or in mobile-to-mobile communications where you have a bit of distance between you.

what would be a basic distance mobile-to-mobile that i would probably be able to achieve with it mounted to the RR

 

[rockwerks]

what would be a basic distance mobile-to-mobile that i would probably be able to achieve with it mounted to the RR

a mile or so if lucky The best location is dead center in the middle of the truck of course

 

[WNY964x4]

It should be if it's mounted straight to the body structure of the vehicle, yes. However bumper mounting it is far from ideal though. You might think about mounting it on the bed rail maybe, or dead-center behind the cab works well with full-length antennas (or you can use one of those burly triple or quad-magnet mounts and throw it up on the roof).

where would i get one of these , because i could mag mount it ( or solid if need be ) to the top of my toolbox

EDIT : Would this mount----- http://www.cbradiosplus.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idcategory=6&idproduct=852 , work with this antenna----- http://www.cbradiosplus.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idcategory=27&idproduct=1440 ?

EDIT 2 : And would i have to have it tuned ?

 

[strvger]

the radiation pattern follows where you have the most metal. examples: if you're antenna is on the right rear corner, then your greatest range will be off the left front of your truck, if your antenna is on the right front, then the greatest range will be off the left rear.
that is why the center of your truck is usually the best place to get 360* coverage. the next thing would be to get the base of the antenna as close as possible to the highest place on your truck away from as much electrical interference from the ignition as possible, and to make the most of all the metal of the truck that is serving as a ground plane. just a thought.

and no matter where you place the antenna, it will need to be tuned to your radio to get the most range.

 

[WNY964x4]

ok , another couple questions

1. if i mag mount this antenna to my toolbox ( which seems to be where i plan on going ) do i have to run a seperate ground ?

2. This base comes with 18' of coax , i do not need near that much , what do i do with ther extra ?

3. i know of no radio shops in my area , what type of place would be able to tune my system ? i am not very comfortable doing this myself

my system is appearing to be as follows

Radio : Uniden PC86 Elite
Mic : Astatic Road Devil
Antenna : 102" stainless whip
Base : Tri Mag mount
Coax : Whatever comes on the mount
Others : Diesel External speaker

 

[4x4junkie]

1.
If the toolbox is solidly bolted down, you should not need a separate ground wire (the toolbox should be solidly bolted down anyway, even with a ground wire it would cause static on your signal if it's not).

2.
You can bundle up the excess coax if you want (it's shielded wire, coiling it doesn't affect it), but I myself would cut the excess off of it (if it's more than about 7-10 feet extra).

3.
What is a Uniden PC86? I can find 0 info on that (did you mean PC68?)
I would think stopping by a truck stop you could find someone to help you with tuning the antenna (or at least have someone check it).
It's not rocket science however. Get yourself a SWR meter (they're like $15 on the low end), read up a bit on how to use it, and either get out a hacksaw or a Dremel to cut the ant shorter, or get yourself a spring or a quick-release mount or just a spacer or something if it needs to be lengthened. If it's 1.5:1 or less on all channels, then you don't have to do anything with it at all.
If it's over 2:1 though, then you may not have a good ground at the antenna, and would need to correct that first before you attempt trimming it.

 

[WNY964x4]

1. the toolbox is bolted straight to the bed with 2 stainless steel 3/8 - 16 bolts , with a flat washer on either side and a lock washer between the nut and flat , and it is bolted to two of the raised ribs of the bed floor

2. it will be about that length extra or so , which end would i cut it off at , and how would i hook it back up ?

3. it is a PC68 , i have typing dyslexia

 

[strvger]

i'd still ground the box to the frame. i use a 10 or 12 ga. wire from my permanent mounts to the frame down underneath. really, your body is mounted on rubber insulating pads, so the only ground is the chassis ground in the engine bay and if the body bolts contact both frame and sheet metal. just my $.02
you might find using a set of small bolt cutters easiest to trim the antenna. again, about 1/4" at a time til you have it tuned.
there are both solder-less, and solder type connectors you can use on the end of your antenna cable. use whichever you are more comfortable with. radio shack sells them.

 

[WNY964x4]

i will probably run the ground wire next week , right to one of the bolts , and i will go to ragio shack to look into a connector

 

[4x4junkie]

2. it will be about that length extra or so , which end would i cut it off at , and how would i hook it back up ?

If you're getting a triple or quad magnet mount, you should be able to take apart the center plastic piece that the coax goes into and reattach the coax there after you've cut it (at least this was the case on mine).

i'd still ground the box to the frame. i use a 10 or 12 ga. wire from my permanent mounts to the frame down underneath. really, your body is mounted on rubber insulating pads, so the only ground is the chassis ground in the engine bay and if the body bolts contact both frame and sheet metal. just my $.02

The body is of sufficient mass a separate frame ground shouldn't really be needed (also, the box itself doesn't have insulators, the bolts are attached straight through to the frame).

 

[WNY964x4]

If you're getting a triple or quad magnet mount, you should be able to take apart the center plastic piece that the coax goes into and reattach the coax there after you've cut it (at least this was the case on mine).

i ordered all my stuu through a site called cbradiosplus.com , and mine is one of them triple magnet mounts , i will have to see when it gets here if i can do that like yours

 

[strvger]

If you're getting a triple or quad magnet mount, you should be able to take apart the center plastic piece that the coax goes into and reattach the coax there after you've cut it (at least this was the case on mine).




The body is of sufficient mass a separate frame ground shouldn't really be needed (also, the box itself doesn't have insulators, the bolts are attached straight through to the frame).

you may tend to pick up more electrical interference from your truck without that ground to the frame. i did till i added the extra ground.

 

[WNY964x4]

you may tend to pick up more electrical interference from your truck without that ground to the frame. i did till i added the extra ground.

the bed is bolted right to the frame though , and my tool box is botled to the bed , all metal-to-metal contact , no insulation

 

[Jason]

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/reading/antenna.htm

Good info for the beginner.

 

[WNY964x4]

thanks for the link Jason