1.2 ch 1, 2.2 ch 40
#1
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
1.2 ch 1, 2.2 ch 40
I just lfinished my install of a Cobra 75, and on the SWR meter I got 1.2 on ch 1, 1.4 on ch 20, and 2.2 on ch 40.
It's the best I could get using a 4' tunable firestick. I have the tuner turned down all the way (shortest). I heard lots of staticky transmissions but I'm way out in the boonies so I didn't expect much. Are these SWR readings acceptable?
It's the best I could get using a 4' tunable firestick. I have the tuner turned down all the way (shortest). I heard lots of staticky transmissions but I'm way out in the boonies so I didn't expect much. Are these SWR readings acceptable?
#2
JK Freak
I just lfinished my install of a Cobra 75, and on the SWR meter I got 1.2 on ch 1, 1.4 on ch 20, and 2.2 on ch 40.
It's the best I could get using a 4' tunable firestick. I have the tuner turned down all the way (shortest). I heard lots of staticky transmissions but I'm way out in the boonies so I didn't expect much. Are these SWR readings acceptable?
It's the best I could get using a 4' tunable firestick. I have the tuner turned down all the way (shortest). I heard lots of staticky transmissions but I'm way out in the boonies so I didn't expect much. Are these SWR readings acceptable?
Also just to clarify, your SWR impacts transmitting; won't have any bearing on receiving.
#3
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Thanks. I did try it with the screw completely out and I was over 3 on channel 1. I went back out and tinkered with it a little more and I ended up with 1.6 on both 1 and 40, so I think I can live with that.
wow, it took me over 5 hours to install the ultramount and cb. The ultramount instructions said you should be able to do it in 30 minutes. No way!
wow, it took me over 5 hours to install the ultramount and cb. The ultramount instructions said you should be able to do it in 30 minutes. No way!
Last edited by MikeOK; 04-07-2017 at 05:16 PM.
#4
Actually SWR is a two way street. The more resonant your antenna is not only the better your outgoing transmitting power is the better your receiver can detect incoming signals. It Benicia your radio both ways.
#5
#7
JK Freak
Anyway, the Firestik antenna is highly sensitive to the plastic cap being in place. Your SWR can vary widely when you remove it; I've seen my SWR go from 1.0 to 3.6! Yes the cap is invisible from an RF standpoint, but it affects capacitance and hence SWR.
As others stated, your SWR is fine. The antenna is long, so it is probably reacting (again capacitance) with nearby metals. All you can do is bond your antenna mount well and get as much of the top of the antenna above your roof line. Remember, the FS is top-loaded and ground plane dependent.