I have been searching for an hour, and I can't seem to find the answer?

Is it better to tune your antenna when the doors and top are on or off? Or does it matter? Thanks!

 

I dont know if it matters or not. Soft top would not.
Why don't you tune it with the doors on and then with the doors off, and let inquiring minds know if there is a difference?

 

Cool. Thanks guys. Good idea, I will give both set-ups a shot and let you know the difference in SWR tomorrow.

 

I don't think you will find a whole lot of difference in SWR either way maybe some but once you match the antenna to the radio (tune it) the performance should be similar in both configurations. I think you would see more differences if you where moving/removing things like metal body panels right around the area of the antenna.

I think if it was me I would tune with your Jeep "fully dressed" this way you tune it for strength against any possible inhibitors...with the doors and top off it would only be easier for the signal to spread anyway.

 

The body of the jeep serves as your ground plane. Plastic roof makes no difference. Metal doors may make a slight but perhaps not much of a difference.

 

I have read hundreds of posts on here and information on other sites about how to tune the antenna, but I haven't heard of anyone with the Cobra 75 and a Firestick 4' having to cut the antenna to tune right.

Here are some pictures of my set-up:







Will grounding to the battery work the best? the 75 box is under the glove compartment.

My SWR ratings are 1.8 on Channel 1; and 2.8 on Channel 40. I have taken the QD off and taken out the tuning rod, and that is the best I can get.

Please let me know what I am doing wrong. Supposed to go on the trails tomorrow and would like it working by then. Appreciate it!

 

I have seen the post about the mount. Does anyone see in my pictures why I am getting such a high SWR? Thanks.

 

Well what is the reading on channel 19 or 20? If under 2.0 then there is an adjustment on the Antenna that can be changed to accomodate. There should be a platic cover or rubber that needs to be reseated on the top of the antenna after each adjustment. I do not recall the direction to turn when 40 is reading high and 1 is reading low. Turn 1 full turn and you should see the cause and effect.

If this doesn't work do you have a CB shop nearby? I don't have any here locally so I cannot get them to tune. It's rather cheap in the under $20 range if tuning is all that is needed.

 

If your going to see if grounding helps...ground to the frame, NOT the battery.

 

Well I would like to think I am smarter than this, but I just cannot get anything below 1.8. I can get 40 and 1 on the same level (~2.7) with 20 being lower (~2.3) and that is the lowest possible.

Tried with doors off/on, top off/on, in neighborhood, in huge open land, QD off/on, grounding to battery/frame. Even cut the antenna by 1/8ths of an inch until my SWR got worse by .2.

As much as I like to do everything myself, I am about to take it to a CB shop. Thanks for all the ideas though guys, it made me have hope to go try it again haha. If anyone has any pointers on what still might be my problem, let me know. Appreciate it!