CB SWR Test ?

[IBMike]

Hopefully one of you CB pros can help me out. 

I just finished my CB install, I have 2 Firestik 4' FSIIs, Firestik's co-phase coax with the FireRing connectors, aluminum mounts on my Yule rack bar. I grounded the mounts to the truck.

I went with the "buy a quality antenna system and an inexpensive CB" thought. I just got a Midland handheld that has a car adapter to run power and antenna; model # 75-822 Midland 75-822 Users Manual .

I tested the SWR, and the first time I did, it pegged the meter. As I got to looking at the radio, I thought to change the power setting from high to low, and tested it again. The reading on 1 was about 1.6 and on 40 it was about 1.75. Turned it back to High and it still pegs the meter.

THere are no specifications in the users manual that details what the difference in the two power settings are. Obviously I am not able to use it on high... which of course concers me because if it accidentally got switched and I didn't notice it, it could fry the radio.

But if the system works normal on low, shouldn't it also work on high?

Obviously I am a rookie when it comes to this; I figured there has got to be someone out here with a whole lot more smarts than me who can help me out.

Thanks in advance
Mike

 

[RENORCR]

Oh boy, I havn't done a SWR reading in awhile.
But I still have my instructions somewhere.

You could be reflecting (bouncing) of your antenna.

Go Here: SWR Metering by Firestick

 

[IBMike]

Oh boy, I havn't done a SWR reading in awhile.
But I still have my instructions somewhere.

You could be reflecting (bouncing) of your antenna.

Go Here: SWR Metering by Firestick

Lots of great info on the Firestik site; I read most anything that looked like it would help.

My only "issue" could be that the antennas are just under 4' apart; maybe the high power is getting them to reflect off each other and peg the SWR?

 

[RENORCR]

My only "issue" could be that the antennas are just under 4' apart; maybe the high power is getting them to reflect off each other and peg the SWR?

Under 4'? 

That's too close for me, IMHO. I prefer 5' or greater. How are you grounding the antenna? Is the mounting plate ground with a grounding strap?

 

[RENORCR]

Here's another site.

 

[Iowa Farm Jim]

why not try calibrating with just one antenna? then you'd eliminate that problem. I thought for CB wavelengths anything under 8 feet was a no-no for dual antennas (although around here you see plenty of guys doing so).