CB SWR Issue - Bad Antenna or Radio?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: South East, MA
CB SWR Issue - Bad Antenna or Radio?
I recently re-installed my antenna and went to our local airbase (shut down) to the middle of the airfield to tune the ol' antnna...
Attempt #1
No matter what length the antenna was, I kept getting a SWR reading of 3 on channel 1 and 40. Attempted 5 different lengths with same result.
*Removed the bracket: Filed back side to tailgate down to bare metal, filed the under side of bore for antenna to bare metal. Reinstalled to tailgate with ground wire between tailgate and mount (bare metal).
Attempt #2
Now my SWR is reading 2.3 on channel 1 and 40... Same deal, the lengths don't change the reading.
So, now I'm not sure if it's my cb or antenna that is the bad link. When I first installed, I didn't tune it properly and now I'm hoping the cb didn't get fried.
What do you think? Maybe heavier ground wire?
Attempt #1
No matter what length the antenna was, I kept getting a SWR reading of 3 on channel 1 and 40. Attempted 5 different lengths with same result.
*Removed the bracket: Filed back side to tailgate down to bare metal, filed the under side of bore for antenna to bare metal. Reinstalled to tailgate with ground wire between tailgate and mount (bare metal).
Attempt #2
Now my SWR is reading 2.3 on channel 1 and 40... Same deal, the lengths don't change the reading.
So, now I'm not sure if it's my cb or antenna that is the bad link. When I first installed, I didn't tune it properly and now I'm hoping the cb didn't get fried.
What do you think? Maybe heavier ground wire?
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Ok then I am not sure if the is a fact or just past experience that worked out for me but I have found that SWR issues when using a meter are always coax/antenna/ground related... Not radio related.
I used to have a CB with built in SWR that was reading way high so I took it to a truck stop for tuning and his meter showed me as under 2 across all chanels. In that case the radio had an issue. When I was talking to the guy he said the meter is mainly checking the downstream side. I replaced the radio and was all set. Given his comment and you are using a separate meeter I would think it is your coax or antenna.
Check the coax for damage. Also make sure no other wires are run along the coax, signal jump can occure across the wires.
I used to have a CB with built in SWR that was reading way high so I took it to a truck stop for tuning and his meter showed me as under 2 across all chanels. In that case the radio had an issue. When I was talking to the guy he said the meter is mainly checking the downstream side. I replaced the radio and was all set. Given his comment and you are using a separate meeter I would think it is your coax or antenna.
Check the coax for damage. Also make sure no other wires are run along the coax, signal jump can occure across the wires.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
From: Central, IL (Peoria Area)
Depending on your mounting area you may be getting some reflection off of the wiper arm or such. Check your SWR with the gate open to see if it comes down. If its down to 2.5 its not a short, more likely a ground or it's too close to something. Are you running a top load antenna and getting above the top of the jeep.
