I installed the CoolTech Ultramount & still not getting good SVR readings so I want to run a ground on the antenna to insure that is not an issue but I have a couple of questions. Do I need to use a grounding strap or can I use copper wire? If cooper wire is acceptable is there a minimum or specific gage to use? Shielded or shielded?

Thanks for any advice

 

did you sand down the area where the bolt attaches to the body?

Ground strap should be wide unshielded copper like this

 

I did try to sand down but the SWR reading is still high & so I wanted to insure a good ground. It sounds like the cooper grounding strap is the best bet.

 

What SWR reading are you getting and how are you measuring it?

 

Measuring with a SWR meter & getting something in the 2's for the 3 channels testing on. On the Firestick intsructions one of the causes of this says it could be the anetenna gound so I figured the next step in trouble shooting was to insure a good ground. I'll pick up a ground strap & try that this afternoon.

Another question - they say to test away from buidings etc - how far away? Open field vs. 30 feet down the driveway, etc.

 

Good to hear you are using a meter. Some folks try with the built in ones on the radio and get poor results.

Personally I try to find a large open field or parking lot to do my testing. If you don't have that option then the end of your driveway is OK.

Also you want to make sure that all your doors are closed and the cap for the antenna is in place every time you test.

I would say that poor grounding is the most common reason for high SWR on a Jeep. I have the same mount as you and have been running it for a couple years. I did not use a ground strap, just made sure the area where my mount was bolted to was clean of all paint.

I have experimented with several different antennas:

54" center load metal whip is flat 1:1 across the band
48" firefly runs 1:2 - 1:5 across the band
36" firefly runs 1:5 - 1:8 across the band

 

I did a little sanding on the inside of the tub where the bolt mounts but I don't think it was adequate. It seemed easier to get a ground strap than keep trying to sand down inside.

 

Thanks for the help & I'm now set. I bought a ground strap & installed earlier. I tested the SWR & got:

Channel 01 = 1.2
Channel 19 = 1.3
Channel 40 = 1.8

I had to screw the tip down as far as I could so I'm probably going to leave it alone for now & see how it works in use before adjusting further.

 

You can remove the nut, washer and/ or the screw tip that you use for tuning if you want to mess with it more. Looks like your good though, especially if you like to hang out on the low channels.