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In radio, every little thing adds up to major difference in results. You can short cut it if you don't care about the extra distance or clarity.
As a cop and emergency worker for many years I always go the extra step for the added security in that one situation when you REALLY need the extra. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Totally agree, all the time you spend tuning will pay off because you will be able to hear and be heard more clearly and from a greater distance.
Thanks! I'm pretty pleased right now.
Tested two more times with no gear, then two times with. Still have done no tuning.
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Rodster, Dick, anybody else,
I just got mine all hooked up and went outside and tested it. With the antenna up, I got my SWR tuned to:
<table border="1">
<tr><th>Channel</th><th>1</th><th>19</th><th>40</th></tr>
<tr><th>SWR</th><th>1.1</th><th>1 - 1.1</th><th>1.2-1.3</th></tr>
</table>
But for kicks I decided to check it with the antenna folded down and the SWR jumped way up into 3+ range. I didn't expect it to be so bad.
I know that Glenn on this thread said he had "good range" with the antenna down. But with my SWR so high isn't it bad for the radio to transmit?
Rodster,
Did you check your SWR with the antenna down? If so, what was it?
Dick, anybody else,
I've got a Firefly 3' antenna, it didn't have the little ground wire like some antennas do. I do have a left over eyelet/lug from the mounting plate because I got the plate to ground on the roof rails really well. Should I try inserting this between the antenna and the Valor foldover and then running a wire to the stud above the insulator but below the foldover to improve conductivity? Or will this not help at all.
BTW, once I figure out the handset mount for my Midland, I'll do some picts on a new thread. Even though it's like a lot of other people's mounts, I took a few pictures of the process that I haven't seen elsewhere.
'03 pewter base H2
I like these! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hmmm. I wonder if mounting the duals on the trailing edge of the bed rack would work? Probably cut range toward the front, yes?
\'05 SUT
The meter instructions say SWR tests are accurate to within 5%.
No tuning done and here's what I got.
CH1 1.1 and a hair.
CH40 1.3.
Almost seems too good to be true. Comments, anyone?
\'05 SUT
I found this really cool button above called "Find".
Looks like the big advantage of dual over single is that you get as much or more range with less height.
If that's not correct please do let me know.
If it is correct, then let's let this thread die a slow, embarrassing death.
\'05 SUT
I'd guess my best reception will come from the back, the sides will be even and in front will be the weakest. Agreed?
I grabbed this off the Firestick site.
Because of the imperfect world, we almost always recommend 18' (5.5m) when our products are used. We do so with good reason too! At 18' the voltage curve has dropped back to the zero voltage point where the cable meets the antenna which reduces the reactance within the cable itself (a null cable if you would).
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I agree. By placing it in the middle does that make it hard to get to? If your OK with a middle of the roof location, why not mount in the exact middle through the mesh GOBI deck?
Dick R is on the money with the distinction between Electrical Ground and RF ground. BOTH are important in this install. You must have an electrical ground or you will have a SWR reading of 3+. This is bad and can negatively effect your CB Radio. When you are tuning...If the lower CB channels are "worse" than the upper channels then this is an indication of an insufficient ground place (RF ground plane). This info can be found on FireStik.
I used that exact coax cable you had pictured, the mounting location I showed in my pic, and achieved at ~1.7 at channel 1 and a ~1.4 at channel 40. This means I had a little bit of a weak RF ground plane. The closer to the metal H2 roof you can the better (I had better and almost equal readings at 1 & 40 before the GOBI install; I think the few inches of elevation away from the roof caused this change).
Rod has a PM. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
And he answered it.
\'05 SUT
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