Is stainless easier to tune too

 

I have honestly never had to tune a SS whip. I usually get such a close to 1 reading that its not worth it, I suppose it would be easy enough just grab a wire cutters and trim the end off.

 

If you have the same SWR on 1 and 40, usually that indicates a crappy ground.

 

If it was a bad ground wouldn't I be getting a high swr with the whip antenna?

 

You would think but there could be a problem with the other antenna or perhaps the base where you are screwing it on has some kind of issue. I assume you have the little plastic washer on so it keeps the base of the antenna from grounding out?

 

Yes I have the isolation washer on. The whip is confirmed working so it isn't that. I'm certain now that it is the fiberglass antenna location so I have decided I will use my whip with a tether.

 

The reason that the 102" works without tuning is that it is a full wavelength. The shorter ones require tuning to get the SWR down to a manageable level. I run a 4" firestick and have mine tuned for the lower channels. we normally run 4 when on the trail, and since that's the only reason I have a CB, I tuned it for that area. It starts to get a little high on the SWR when I get above 20, but still manageable.

 

4" Wilson with 18" wilson cable. Center of back door. Cable has tune bar built in, not the antenna. Run the cable at mid position and tune in with the dated (like me) Cobra LTD29. Worked on the cobra 19 before that went into the ZJ, (not finished that install). No problems with the Wilson, not broadcasting across the sea but typically get 5 to 10 miles range depending on terrain.

 

How's your SWR? I talked for about 14 miles one night with SWRs up in the high 3s.

 

Actually a 102" is about a 1/4 of a wavelength, CB is 27 or so MHZ with an 11 meter wavelength.


Umm that's not a good idea. Your rear gate is fiberglass, to avoid ruining your CB it should really be mounted to metal. Your antenna needs a ground plane to operate properly.

 

Yep, was thinking about that this morning. I was really tired last night

 

The door is fiberglass, however the mount bracket is grounded internally to wire harness.

 

Cool just hate to see someones hard earned money go down the tubes.

 

Me too.... but I will put the mount and antenna to use eventually.