Cobra 75 - tunning

[fshgrind]

I just bought a swr meter off ebay and while i am waiting for it, a couple questions came to mind.....

Do I set the squelch before i start to tune the Antenna? If anyone can give me some direction on how to start this process, that would be great. the squelch is what i am having trouble with? thanks in advance!s

[RubiconOrdie]

The squelch, while checking SWR, doesn't matter. You will be transmitting when checking your SWR.

[JackMac4]

^^^

what he said. checking SWR is ensuring that you're not transmitting too hot.

what trouble are you having with your squelch?

[fshgrind]

i am just saying, do i need to set my squelch before i tune my antenna, if that even makes since? i am a first timer at this so i have no idea what i am talking about. apparently the squelch is for getting only good channels in? or am i completely wrong with what sql does?

[RubiconOrdie]

Your sorta right. The Squelch is for cutting down the noise you may be receiving. It's like a water gate (I read this) if it's all the way open you'll receive everything, if squelched all the way you won't receive anything. When your hooked up and receiving you may get a lot of noise, turn your squelch until you just barely cut the noise.

[JackMac4]

No, you don't really need to worry about your squelch when tuning. If you want just turn it all the way down - it won't hurt anything.

[fshgrind]

thanks guys!!!!!!!!

i love squelch!

[fshgrind]

ok, i guess i do not know what i am doing. I understand how to take measurements from the swr meter. So when do i actually get to turn the little knob on the tip of the antenna???? any help would be great, thanks!

UPDATE: nevermind, search is my friend!!!!!

[fshgrind]

After it was tuned I went out on the highway and see what i could hear. Heard some good stuff! However, i went on a little side road to look at the swr meter again and all channels are reading above 3 for swr.... i unplugged from meter and plugged everything back in to meter, and then started from scratch. Went to channel one and adjusted the setting...then flipped the switch to swr and it acted like it wanted to go and then it just shot right back to red. All channels are reading red now....
Do I have a bad connection somewhere, or is my swr meter bad? how do i find out???

[JackMac4]

Your top problems for this are going to be a short or improper ground.

It definitely could be your meter though. Just so you know, I bought a meter from a reputible company online and tried using it for months to no avail - finally I called them about it and they agreed it was broke, but it was too late for me to return it. Made me mad, but it was my own fault for taking so long to call. This was a brand new SWR meter - so yes, they can be bad.

[fshgrind]

how can i test my swr meter to see if it is bad?

I bought the cool tech antenna mount. I doubt it is a improper ground. I really hope it is not an improper ground.

[fshgrind]

anyone know where i can tune my antenna or test my meter?

[nota4re]

My recommendation is to invest in an inexpensive volt-ohm meter. You can purchase one at Radio Shack, Sears, or many other retailers.

Set the meter to "ohm", and check the antenna connection up at the radio. Remove the connector from the radio. Test to make sure you have a good ground first. Touch the outer part of the connector with one probe and a good chassis ground with the other. You should have almost no ohms. (In other words, the meter should act just like it does when you touch the two leads together.) You need to make sure you have a good ground.

Using the Ohm meter, you should also check to make sure that the center conductor and the shield of the coax is not shorted. Place one probe on the center conductor and the other on the outer part of the connector. The meter should not move - and show infinite resistance. If the meter moves down (like touching the two ends together), then there is a short somewhere.

I can try to help you through the forum, and/or you can email me anytime at sales@cooltechllc.com

[fshgrind]

sent you an email.....

[duskydriver]

Find a CB shop in your area (usually near truck stops) and have your radio peaked and tuned, and your antenna tuned. CB's (especially Cobras) are very often way off on frequency. Peaking and tuning will calibrate everything.

I had a Cobra 29 that sounded like poo unless you were right next to me. Peaked and tuned, and matched to my antennas....really good sound out of it now.

[mcnaught6]

make sure you have the vinyl washer on the cooltech mount in the proper position. your mount itself must be grounded, but the antenna must be isolated from the mount with the nylon washer.
this is the most common problem i see - the antenna not being isolated from the mount.