Been using radios for years and that’s the best swr explanation I’ve ever seen. Been doing it the other way round. I’m 53 and been using cbs since I was 13. Totally illegal in the U.K. but excellent. Got my ham licence for 10 meters mainly from getting it in the neck from friends and family fo years. Anyway. Whoever reads this shout 26 YB167 on 27,555 in good old Bonnie Scotland.
My wife had my CB installed in my Jeep as a birthday present quite a few years ago. Some asshat in a Wal-Mart parking lot thought it would be a great idea to snap the antenna in half. This video was exactly the lesson I needed to ensure the antenna was tuned. Thank you for your helpful information.
I just want to add my two cents worth of opinion. Excellent presentation. You did not assume your viewer knew anything and explained everything very well. I knew how to tune my antenna, but when I was first learning this, I wish I had access to your video. TH-camrs should view this and learn how to make a good "how to" video.
I was old school CB back in the 70's. This reminded me of the basics on tuning an antenna and using an SWR meter! Thank you! I have this bookmarked now.
You definitely got this right. Nothing else I tried was half as clear or useful. Actually the hardest part was finding someplace clear of obstructions. Trees everywhere down here. Made a few adjustments but finally got it right. Thanks for the help!
Best SWR Meter instruction video. I thought 14 minutes would be too long, compared to others on TH-cam, however, it was very well presented with very clear instructions that were easy to understand. Thank you
I've been am amateur radio hobbyist for 30 yrs, and I've learned. With a properly tuned, properly designed antenna, and 4 watts. You wouldn't believe how effective your rig will perform.
Your demo video is excellent. You were patient and explained everything so clearly, I was easily able to take notes and use them while tuning my antenna out in the field. And CB is NOT obsolete. I got stuck out in the Cascade Mountains in Washington state one time, and NO CELL SERVICE. I used the CB to get a nice person to call my house on their landline, and a friend was able to find me and help me pull my truck out of the ditch. Cell phones don't work everywhere unless you have an expensive satellite phone. Keep that in mind if you go off-road. Thanks!
You are correct when there are plenty of areas where the cell phone coverage is lacking. Even in rural Indiana we had problems here a few years ago with local police being able to contact the headquarters only a few miles back into town. They actually had to get on hills to get out using their VHF/UHF equipment. Most people would be surprised how useful CB is when monitored by local stations and even here its not uncommon to hear someone from 40 or 50 miles away even in hilly territory on a CB. That very well might save your rear in a SHTF situation.
NOTE: This is why truckers run channel 19.... If your antenna is tuned correctly, as per this video, your lowest SWR would be on channels 19 and 20. Kind of like a tuning notch. High reflection numbers are bad, as the reflected transmitter power will return down the coax and take out your radio's final output transistor. Magic Smoke!
I wholeheartedly agree with all those accolades people have made. This is a very-well done presentation. The only criticism I have is that the label REF on the meter refers to "REFLECTED", as in the amount of the signal that comes back to the radio rather than broadcasting out over the air. It does not mean "Reference" as stated in the video.
Same here, using ch20. My homemade antenna has a 6' whip, with a 1/0 wire coil inside 3" pvc pipe with a cap and bottom is a clean out plug: my swr is zero.
Thanks much. Just ordered my first CB, antenna and SWR meter. Had no idea how to do this until I watched your video. Couldn't have been better instructed. Thanks again.
Just watched "How to Tune a CB Antenna". Of all the TH-cam videos on this subject this one that you posted is the only one that I actually learned what I needed to know from. Some of these guys talk too fast or I can't understand their words or they have their hands or fingers in the way and I can't see what they did to the meter. Dang! Maybe, since you are so good at presentation, you should put up a video teaching the ins and outs of posting a TH-cam video correctly that REALLY gives viewers what they need. LOL
Just ordered my swr meter earlier from y’all. The president Walker II I got from y’all looks slick as well. Can wait to use it. And thank you Sharon for the help as well. Your such an sweet lady Sharon.
Very helpful. I have the same radio and SWR meter. However, been testing with the SWR meter out at the antenna. Big mistake. Rechecked and I was at 1.6...need to get it down a bit.
thanks alot right channel radio for the great video, Bought the SR-5K for my Stryker SR-955HPC I'm very pleased with the performance. Quality is very good, it was easy to set up and tune. The magnet is very strong. West Coast Mall's price was unbeatable everywhere I searched. Their customer service was very fast to ship.. I am winning on this deal.
big thanx for this,i am returning to the radio after many years..........i had forgotten how to use the swr meter yours seem to make sense more than other videos
You're dealing with forward power versus reflected power which ultimately determines your SWR. A properly tuned antenna whether it be on CB or amateur radio is going to be much better than just trying to wing it. Plus its much easier on your equipment where you don't put undue reflected power into the finals on your radio.
Well done video . I’ve been messing with CB since I got out of the Amy in 1976. For got how to do this . Last set up was done in 2000 by Jericho Communications in Bakersfield back then. Cabover Peterbilt General Lee and tunable Firestick antennae
Well rounded presentation. Couple of suggestions. For new single side band users, the SWR can not be tuned on SSB. For the newcomer to SSB to understand the in's and it's of how this mode works. The USB/LSB. 👍🏼
All SWR readi8ngs have to use AM mode - I was saying that if the SWR is very low then the antenna picks up more distant stations on SSB. I have been a CBersince 1975.
As a Licensed General Class HAM Operator, I would like to add a little positive education for you - you keep referring the "REF" setting on the meter in this video as "REFerence" setting - the actual real term is "REFlected". You are dealing with a magnetic signal (A/C) current. otherwise, pretty good little video, very basic and simple for others to follow.
As long as u have the correct length of coax on your mobile antenna (18 feet works best) and the antenna is properly tuned for the channel range u are using, and grounded properly, the difference in swr whether you’re running 10 watts or 100 will be minimal. I would tune antenna at the highest power setting you’re using first and see how that works. Most antennas are mostly tuned for frequency rather than power. And when tuning either turn your mike gain down or don’t talk as modulation can skew swr readings.
length means very little. it's the velocity factor you're concerned with. are you using rg58, rg8x, lmr240. lmr400? If you're that concerned with length, use an antenna analyzer, and cut the cable for R0, other than that, don't sweat it.
Very, Very well represented vid. I was a long haul trucker for several years and used the CB, with twin antenna's, but no one ever told me that antenna's had to be adjusted. Although retired now, I still have my Cobra CB and it has the build in SWR meter, but I never used it, because I did not know how to use it. I actually thought it was to let me know it was sending/receiving a signal. I am thinking to mount and use the CB on my motorcycle. If there anybody out there that has one on their motorcycle, I would appreciate any pro's or con's they might of experienced.
@@Rhetorical Answer That is the correct way to tune a dual antenna system. One antenna at at time with the other one mounted, but only one fed. So, LOL at you!
You are totally correct it is reflected power. I would question any radio tech that said reference power. Also if this guy knew anything he would know that all you need is stuff to be 1 wave length away from the antenna to tune it.
I have an older midland tuner. Should the needle move when the unit is tipped or should it hold at 0? I’m not sure if the unit is good or not I get good reading then I get different readings as well. With the unit flat the needle sits at 0 if i tip it...the needle will move back and forth is that normal? Do I need to keep the unit flat as I tune? Thanks
Thanks for taking time to show this process...it’s been so long since I’ve done this that I forgot the process.🤩 I’m about to install a cab in my new truck.
Eric Ward if you’ve tried extending your antenna or shortening it to the maximums of either and haven’t been able to achieve anything lower than 2.0, make sure your antenna is properly grounded. If i knew what kind of antenna you’re using and what your set up is, i could give a better answer however
Thank ye ....now will it change if you go to a different altitude than where you set it ? Say I took a load to Las Vegas now I'm at 5,000 ft and I set it a sea level ...
Since you are tuning your CB to your attached antenna, your altitude is irrelevant. Your RX & TX may change overall depending on where you are, but it has no bearing on your antenna being tuned to your radio..
I want to make a home base station. Does the ant cable distance matter with the ant or, to make the process easier on the roof, take my radio up on the roof, swr meter, and adjust up there? I'm not interested in up/down a ladder several times if I can take my gear up to the roof ant. thanks!
I have a question about your Cobra 75 WX ST Compact Hand Held. Does this handset have to be pared with a particular base or can I hook this up to my cobra 29 LTD CLASSIC CB radio and get all of the functionality out of the handset minus weather feature?
Brilliant video explanation , Just fitted a CB in my camper here in the UK , But have to SWR in, Bought SWR meter on FB marketplace and jumper lead off ebay . So hopefully next week refer back here as I saved it for reference , Many Thanks
I realize that this video is an older one, but I still want to ask a question. When your tuning a radio that has a stock factory Cal switch already installed, where do set it? Do you set it Cal ? Or ? Thanks for sharing the video.
Thankyou for the video. Not many people on YT will talk and clarify what needs to be done with setting & tuning etc like you have discussed and shown, Cheers bud :-)
So I’m using a Stryker 955 with a 5.5 Francis and or a skip-shooter 6’. Both antennas show around a 1.5 or lower on 1 and a 1.7 on 40. I also have a 102’’ whip when I use that my swr is pretty much flat on all channels. Is this normal? How accurate is the 955 swr meter? Thank you
this is the best explanation of tuning an antenna I have heard so far, if I leave the two cables plugged into the metre, and by accident I turn the knob on the metre would that affect the metre readings at all.
Hi PLEASE respond to this. As I'm stuck and Puzzled. I connected my President randy 3 today,pressed the mic button in,but the needle only moved a TINY TINY but 🤔 Am I doing something wrong,or could it be a FLUK my aerial is Perfect?? I have a Sirio 4000 magmount on my car roof I was looking forward to Using the dial on the swr meter,to adjust the needle in the Red. Thanks.
I think you did a good job. what happen when you have a new cobra. it gives an antenna problem. when a meeter inline it show one point five on both one and forty. take the meeter out and it jumps to three. and I think it is the jumper in line that solves the problem and I wonder if I should leave it and run? and say the problem solved.
You can also use a longwire antenna for CB radio or a homemade dipole antenna or loop provided you properly design it and get the SWR to an acceptable level of 2:1 or less. Using an antenna tuner can help in some cases but a properly designed antenna for CB radiates well and since the FCC got rid of the 155 mile rule its open season on DX when the solar conditions come back in 2020 or 2021. Eventually you'll hear 10 and 11 meters hopping by that point.
The full wave for 27 mghz is 36 feet. I use this as a guide when building my own antennas. I also own a copy of the book "The Truth About CB Antennas." This book is the bible for making CB antennas.
I'm having difficulty getting a decent SWR with a Wilson Little Wil. It seems impossible to get consistently below 3:1 on upper and lower channels simultaneously, one or both always seem high. Run out of adjustment.
I've a dual band vhf-uhf base radio hooked up to a ground plane antenna, and through channels are certainly busy, all I hear is bacon, despite raising the volume or working the squelch. Your thoughts, please? Don't have a patch for an SWR available, BTW.
Me an my buddy instaled a 110 inch quartar wave antena on my truck with a roof mont. When we gots done he hooked up his swr meeter and after he tuned it he was only able to gets a 2 to 1 reeding. I took over an tuned it myself an I was able to gets a 5 to 1 reeding. Now that cb puts that needel in the corner. Im gona be talkin dx soon. Big Bob in the fatlands just gots down, 1973's uall.
I have a dual 4 foot set up on my truck. We grounded the antennas to the frame and tested it. The swrs for both were way into the red. We used a single CB cable and tested both separate from the other. However when we hooked both together using the co-phase cable, i got readings of 1.5 on both channels. Any help would be great. Do you think the meter I bought was bad?
Both my ch1 and ch40 are both really high. about the same SWR. Do I need to lengthen or shorten antenna? Also found that there was a grounding issue on the stud because the nylon washer was missing. So I took antenna off of mount and placed in truck bed against the leather bike mat on tailgate and set on rubber in truck bed. Sure that doesn't help SWR but wanted to see if it improved reading with it out of mount. Ordered CB nylon washer but wanted to ask if you think the length was an issue if both ch1 and ch40 had about the same high reading. Both was 3 when I had it in truck bed. When in mount it was at dangerous levels. Any feedback on what else I should do or what i shouldn't do?
Without that nylon washer, your whole network is grounding itself out. I wouldn't operate the radio until that washer get replaced. A ground fault will give you false readings.
great video I have a k 30 antenna and my readings showed my antenna was too long I knew I could move the antenna up and down but it wasn't enough I actually had to cut off a quarter inch of my antenna once I did I got channel 1 and 40 both at 1.5 thank you
Well I'm in complete agreement w/ most of the comments I read. Great video. Well put together and easy to understand. Looks like you all haven't posted any other videos in a while and I don't know if you answer questions posted in these comments but I'll give it a shot. Does this procedure and methodology i.e. tuning to the top and bottom of the radio's capabilities in the spectrum work with marine VHF radios as well?
On your reference cal knob turn it down (attenuate) so it doesn't deflect and peg the needle all the way to the right. Pegging a needle will throw it out of calibration. You then tune it to the maximum point you need. That's what we used to do on old Byrd wattmeters (excellent but expensive piece of equipment) that we used to use on old military radios.
I did my SWR meter readings per your instructions. I got 1.7 on chan 1. I got 1.6 on chan 40. Do I need to do anything with my antenna regarding length? TIA
Been using radios for years and that’s the best swr explanation I’ve ever seen. Been doing it the other way round. I’m 53 and been using cbs since I was 13. Totally illegal in the U.K. but excellent. Got my ham licence for 10 meters mainly from getting it in the neck from friends and family fo years. Anyway. Whoever reads this shout 26 YB167 on 27,555 in good old Bonnie Scotland.
what do you mean, 'illegal in the UK' ? i thought CB was allowed in UK for some years now
@@danielwilliam4306I think maybe he was referring to starting at age 13.
To dziwne że CB jest nie legalne 😮😮🤔🇵🇱pozdrowienia z Poland
This video might be 7 years old but it's still the best out there.
I concure
After watching two other poorly done videos about CB tuning I stumbled upon yours which was easy to understand and well put together. So thank you
Absolutely
Matthew Bernard Indeed!
Yes, this is excellent.
I'm glad I found this one first than.... NOT that I need it yet, but it is nice to know how and that I need to do this. THANKS
Very good video 👍👍👍
My wife had my CB installed in my Jeep as a birthday present quite a few years ago. Some asshat in a Wal-Mart parking lot thought it would be a great idea to snap the antenna in half. This video was exactly the lesson I needed to ensure the antenna was tuned. Thank you for your helpful information.
I just want to add my two cents worth of opinion. Excellent presentation. You did not assume your viewer knew anything and explained everything very well. I knew how to tune my antenna, but when I was first learning this, I wish I had access to your video. TH-camrs should view this and learn how to make a good "how to" video.
I was old school CB back in the 70's. This reminded me of the basics on tuning an antenna and using an SWR meter! Thank you! I have this bookmarked now.
You definitely got this right. Nothing else I tried was half as clear or useful. Actually the hardest part was finding someplace clear of obstructions. Trees everywhere down here. Made a few adjustments but finally got it right. Thanks for the help!
Corky Mitchell , I know what you mean not finding a clear spot. I am in the mountains of north Idaho. ....lol
I need to drive 50 miles to get into a open area were I live here in L,A
Best SWR Meter instruction video. I thought 14 minutes would be too long, compared to others on TH-cam, however, it was very well presented with very clear instructions that were easy to understand.
Thank you
I've been am amateur radio hobbyist for 30 yrs, and I've learned. With a properly tuned, properly designed antenna, and 4 watts. You wouldn't believe how effective your rig will perform.
Your demo video is excellent. You were patient and explained everything so clearly, I was easily able to take notes and use them while tuning my antenna out in the field. And CB is NOT obsolete. I got stuck out in the Cascade Mountains in Washington state one time, and NO CELL SERVICE. I used the CB to get a nice person to call my house on their landline, and a friend was able to find me and help me pull my truck out of the ditch. Cell phones don't work everywhere unless you have an expensive satellite phone. Keep that in mind if you go off-road. Thanks!
You are correct when there are plenty of areas where the cell phone coverage is lacking. Even in rural Indiana we had problems here a few years ago with local police being able to contact the headquarters only a few miles back into town. They actually had to get on hills to get out using their VHF/UHF equipment. Most people would be surprised how useful CB is when monitored by local stations and even here its not uncommon to hear someone from 40 or 50 miles away even in hilly territory on a CB. That very well might save your rear in a SHTF situation.
@@japerry75 Hi , Just to say we are all going to need CB AM when net goes down , could be 2023 if not sooner , stay safe .
6 years later and still helpful AF. OBLIGED.
Thanks for making this video! You made the SWR adjustment much simpler. It really isn't super complex and you make it easy to understand. 🙂
NOTE: This is why truckers run channel 19.... If your antenna is tuned correctly, as per this video, your lowest SWR would be on channels 19 and 20. Kind of like a tuning notch. High reflection numbers are bad, as the reflected transmitter power will return down the coax and take out your radio's final output transistor. Magic Smoke!
I am watching this in July 2024 and I just want to say THANK YOU
Very clear instructions, and nicely presented! I just tuned the SWR for my CB, and thanks to you, it was easy and fun. 😊
I know this is an old video and I don't even know if you're reading this but I appreciate the information very self-explanatory thank you
That was a very thorough video without no rambling.I appreciate it we'll be subscribing
How awesome that I have the exact same meter. This video couldn't have made this process more simple. Thanks!!!
I wholeheartedly agree with all those accolades people have made. This is a very-well done presentation. The only criticism I have is that the label REF on the meter refers to "REFLECTED", as in the amount of the signal that comes back to the radio rather than broadcasting out over the air. It does not mean "Reference" as stated in the video.
Best antenna tuning video, by far.
I've been matching my cb antennas on channel 19 for the past 30 years, it's always worked for me.
Same here, using ch20. My homemade antenna has a 6' whip, with a 1/0 wire coil inside 3" pvc pipe with a cap and bottom is a clean out plug: my swr is zero.
Thanks for taking the time. I believe "REF" on the meter is "Reflected" as in power being reflected back from the antenna, not "Reference"
haha...looks like CB guys has different arguments compared to HAM guys
Reflect power
These are the videos that truly help.
A to Z clearly explained.
Thanks much. Just ordered my first CB, antenna and SWR meter. Had no idea how to do this until I watched your video. Couldn't have been better instructed. Thanks again.
I make antena and your tip helps me a lot, what about the 5,8 antena
On-target videos like this are very scarce, buried in spurious search results. Thanks for your efforts.
A very good and easily understood guide to tuning your cb antenna using a handheld swr meter.
Just watched "How to Tune a CB Antenna". Of all the TH-cam videos on this subject this one that you posted is the only one that I actually learned what I needed to know from. Some of these guys talk too fast or I can't understand their words or they have their hands or fingers in the way and I can't see what they did to the meter. Dang! Maybe, since you are so good at presentation, you should put up a video teaching the ins and outs of posting a TH-cam video correctly that REALLY gives viewers what they need. LOL
Just ordered my swr meter earlier from y’all. The president Walker II I got from y’all looks slick as well. Can wait to use it. And thank you Sharon for the help as well. Your such an sweet lady Sharon.
I just ordered a cb radio from you guys so can’t wait to tune it to my antenna when it gets here in a few days.
I know I’m a few years behind,but that was the most informative vid on the tube,many thanks to you sir ,that solved a multitude of problems
Dude, yes, finally a decent video that clearly and completely explains how to do this relatively simple process
Very helpful. I have the same radio and SWR meter. However, been testing with the SWR meter out at the antenna. Big mistake. Rechecked and I was at 1.6...need to get it down a bit.
Finally an informative, correct way to get that puppy tuned. Thank You ! GREAT JOB !
Thanks for making someone who knows nothing and is just learning about CB's for the first time, to understanding how to tune one. Very good.
thanks alot right channel radio for the great video, Bought the SR-5K for my Stryker SR-955HPC I'm very pleased with the performance. Quality is very good, it was easy to set up and tune. The magnet is very strong. West Coast Mall's price was unbeatable everywhere I searched. Their customer service was very fast to ship.. I am winning on this deal.
Great easy instructions haven't done it in 25 years you refreshed my memory
Very, very helpful video! Thank you!
omg trailrecon
It was cool to see TR here. 👍🏾
big thanx for this,i am returning to the radio after many years..........i had forgotten how to use the swr meter yours seem to make sense more than other videos
This is the best tuning video out there. You did an excellent job!
It's 2021, and this video is still clear and useful. Can I get a radio check?
You're dealing with forward power versus reflected power which ultimately determines your SWR. A properly tuned antenna whether it be on CB or amateur radio is going to be much better than just trying to wing it. Plus its much easier on your equipment where you don't put undue reflected power into the finals on your radio.
Well done video . I’ve been messing with CB since I got out of the Amy in 1976. For got how to do this . Last set up was done in 2000 by Jericho Communications in Bakersfield back then. Cabover Peterbilt General Lee and tunable Firestick antennae
Well rounded presentation. Couple of suggestions.
For new single side band users, the SWR can not be tuned on SSB. For the newcomer to SSB to understand the in's and it's of how this mode works. The USB/LSB. 👍🏼
All SWR readi8ngs have to use AM mode - I was saying that if the SWR is very low then the antenna picks up more distant stations on SSB.
I have been a CBersince 1975.
As a Licensed General Class HAM Operator, I would like to add a little positive education for you - you keep referring the "REF" setting on the meter in this video as "REFerence" setting - the actual real term is "REFlected". You are dealing with a magnetic signal (A/C) current.
otherwise, pretty good little video, very basic and simple for others to follow.
As long as u have the correct length of coax on your mobile antenna (18 feet works best) and the antenna is properly tuned for the channel range u are using, and grounded properly, the difference in swr whether you’re running 10 watts or 100 will be minimal. I would tune antenna at the highest power setting you’re using first and see how that works. Most antennas are mostly tuned for frequency rather than power. And when tuning either turn your mike gain down or don’t talk as modulation can skew swr readings.
length means very little. it's the velocity factor you're concerned with. are you using rg58, rg8x, lmr240. lmr400? If you're that concerned with length, use an antenna analyzer, and cut the cable for R0, other than that, don't sweat it.
Very, Very well represented vid.
I was a long haul trucker for several years and used the CB, with twin antenna's, but no one ever told me that antenna's had to be adjusted. Although retired now, I still have my Cobra CB and it has the build in SWR meter, but I never used it, because I did not know how to use it.
I actually thought it was to let me know it was sending/receiving a signal.
I am thinking to mount and use the CB on my motorcycle.
If there anybody out there that has one on their motorcycle, I would appreciate any pro's or con's they might of experienced.
Great video, thank you very much! In 2021 this is STILL the best video I've found!
Great info/video.
How often should one check the SWR and recalibrate without ANY major changes of vehicle/antenna?
Excellent! Simple and understandable, exactly what I needed.
Very well explained I learned a lot just by the simplicity of the video. Thank you
it's not reference, it's reflected power.
@Rhetorical Answer i love Carlos Antanna
@@Rhetorical Answer That is the correct way to tune a dual antenna system. One antenna at at time with the other one mounted, but only one fed. So, LOL at you!
You are totally correct it is reflected power. I would question any radio tech that said reference power. Also if this guy knew anything he would know that all you need is stuff to be 1 wave length away from the antenna to tune it.
I used to say back in the day (1970's) "referring to the reflected power". Quit picking.
Finally a simple, easy to understand video that explains this perfectly. Thanks!
I have an older midland tuner. Should the needle move when the unit is tipped or should it hold at 0? I’m not sure if the unit is good or not I get good reading then I get different readings as well. With the unit flat the needle sits at 0 if i tip it...the needle will move back and forth is that normal? Do I need to keep the unit flat as I tune? Thanks
Thanks for taking time to show this process...it’s been so long since I’ve done this that I forgot the process.🤩 I’m about to install a cab in my new truck.
Thank you! I know this is an old video, but I hope that you still look at the comments.very well explained.
Great video!!!!! What does it mean when channel 1 & 40 hang around 2 to 2.5 on your swr meter?
Eric Ward if you’ve tried extending your antenna or shortening it to the maximums of either and haven’t been able to achieve anything lower than 2.0, make sure your antenna is properly grounded. If i knew what kind of antenna you’re using and what your set up is, i could give a better answer however
Some cheap antennas have sub optimal SWR and it can't be tuned out. As cutyou45 mention making sure that it's grounded properly as well.
Thank ye ....now will it change if you go to a different altitude than where you set it ? Say I took a load to Las Vegas now I'm at 5,000 ft and I set it a sea level ...
Since you are tuning your CB to your attached antenna, your altitude is irrelevant. Your RX & TX may change overall depending on where you are, but it has no bearing on your antenna being tuned to your radio..
Congratulations, I have't no idea how to tuning my antenna before you video. Thank's for share.
I want to make a home base station. Does the ant cable distance matter with the ant or, to make the process easier on the roof, take my radio up on the roof, swr meter, and adjust up there? I'm not interested in up/down a ladder several times if I can take my gear up to the roof ant. thanks!
great information ... this maybe silly question but why the radio manufacturer wouldn't specify the optimal antenna length of the different models ?
Great video . But what if you have a s/steel whip, and a leaner.?. thanks.
I have a question about your Cobra 75 WX ST Compact Hand Held.
Does this handset have to be pared with a particular base or can I hook this up to my cobra 29 LTD CLASSIC CB radio and get all of the functionality out of the handset minus weather feature?
Brilliant video explanation , Just fitted a CB in my camper here in the UK , But have to SWR in, Bought SWR meter on FB marketplace and jumper lead off ebay . So hopefully next week refer back here as I saved it for reference , Many Thanks
I realize that this video is an older one, but I still want to ask a question. When your tuning a radio that has a stock factory Cal switch already installed, where do set it? Do you set it Cal ? Or ? Thanks for sharing the video.
your on the right track, but how do you set the meter while your talking? the needle was moving.
Thankyou for the video. Not many people on YT will talk and clarify what needs to be done with setting & tuning etc like you have discussed and shown, Cheers bud :-)
the proper term is " VSWR" voltage to standing wave ratio, and also "REF" stands for"reflected" not "REFERENCE"
actually you are correct
You can do the same by measuring ASWR.
Can you leave your swr meter hooked up at all times even when in operation?
So I’m using a Stryker 955 with a 5.5 Francis and or a skip-shooter 6’. Both antennas show around a 1.5 or lower on 1 and a 1.7 on 40. I also have a 102’’ whip when I use that my swr is pretty much flat on all channels. Is this normal? How accurate is the 955 swr meter? Thank you
this is the best explanation of tuning an antenna I have heard so far, if I leave the two cables plugged into the metre, and by accident I turn the knob on the metre would that affect the metre readings at all.
Shame the video is about matching, a low swr doesn't necessarily mean the antenna is tuned
Thank you! You Do a very well job to show and explain👋🙏🙏🙏☀️🌞🙋
Does this set the swrs permanently or do you have to leave the meter inline ?
EXTREMELY well done... simple, clear instructions!!!
Hi PLEASE respond to this. As I'm stuck and Puzzled.
I connected my President randy 3 today,pressed the mic button in,but the needle only moved a TINY TINY but 🤔
Am I doing something wrong,or could it be a FLUK my aerial is Perfect??
I have a Sirio 4000 magmount on my car roof
I was looking forward to Using the dial on the swr meter,to adjust the needle in the Red.
Thanks.
Thank you so much. Best Video explanation from seeing others.
nice video but i dont understand why you can remove the meter.... does calibration change anything inside the cb or wat...
Great informative video, compared to others. Thanks! Nice to hear instructions from a Sales Manager in the electronics business.
Are all antennas tuneable? Thanks for posting!
I think you did a good job. what happen when you have a new cobra. it gives an antenna problem. when a meeter inline it show one point five on both one and forty. take the meeter out and it jumps to three. and I think it is the jumper in line that solves the problem and I wonder if I should leave it and run? and say the problem solved.
Best explanation ever got from any channel’s 👍👍
Thanks! Check out the updated SWR tuning video as well: th-cam.com/video/HPH4UOWe_48/w-d-xo.htmlsi=89zs4fT2hZiqggoW
You can also use a longwire antenna for CB radio or a homemade dipole antenna or loop provided you properly design it and get the SWR to an acceptable level of 2:1 or less. Using an antenna tuner can help in some cases but a properly designed antenna for CB radiates well and since the FCC got rid of the 155 mile rule its open season on DX when the solar conditions come back in 2020 or 2021. Eventually you'll hear 10 and 11 meters hopping by that point.
The full wave for 27 mghz is 36 feet. I use this as a guide when building my own antennas. I also own a copy of the book "The Truth About CB Antennas." This book is the bible for making CB antennas.
I'm having difficulty getting a decent SWR with a Wilson Little Wil. It seems impossible to get consistently below 3:1 on upper and lower channels simultaneously, one or both always seem high. Run out of adjustment.
you will need to cut down your wip, but by small increments and re swr your antenna every time till you get the reading down, good luck.
Always good to refresh your memory, thanks
only guy I know who says antenna correctly
I've a dual band vhf-uhf base radio hooked up to a ground plane antenna, and through channels are certainly busy, all I hear is bacon, despite raising the volume or working the squelch. Your thoughts, please? Don't have a patch for an SWR available, BTW.
Super helpful, thank you for posting. It has been years since I’ve needed to do this and needed a reminder.
Me an my buddy instaled a 110 inch quartar wave antena on my truck with a roof mont. When we gots done he hooked up his swr meeter and after he tuned it he was only able to gets a 2 to 1 reeding. I took over an tuned it myself an I was able to gets a 5 to 1 reeding. Now that cb puts that needel in the corner. Im gona be talkin dx soon. Big Bob in the fatlands just gots down, 1973's uall.
I bought my equipment from Right Channel Radio & everything about it & them has been great!
I have a dual 4 foot set up on my truck. We grounded the antennas to the frame and tested it. The swrs for both were way into the red. We used a single CB cable and tested both separate from the other. However when we hooked both together using the co-phase cable, i got readings of 1.5 on both channels. Any help would be great. Do you think the meter I bought was bad?
Simple straightforward instructions. Right on.👍
Both my ch1 and ch40 are both really high. about the same SWR. Do I need to lengthen or shorten antenna? Also found that there was a grounding issue on the stud because the nylon washer was missing. So I took antenna off of mount and placed in truck bed against the leather bike mat on tailgate and set on rubber in truck bed. Sure that doesn't help SWR but wanted to see if it improved reading with it out of mount. Ordered CB nylon washer but wanted to ask if you think the length was an issue if both ch1 and ch40 had about the same high reading. Both was 3 when I had it in truck bed. When in mount it was at dangerous levels. Any feedback on what else I should do or what i shouldn't do?
Without that nylon washer, your whole network is grounding itself out. I wouldn't operate the radio until that washer get replaced. A ground fault will give you false readings.
great video I have a k 30 antenna and my readings showed my antenna was too long I knew I could move the antenna up and down but it wasn't enough I actually had to cut off a quarter inch of my antenna once I did I got channel 1 and 40 both at 1.5 thank you
Wow, just 2mm did it. That's a tight tolerance considering the wavelength.
Does the swr calibration need to be repeated in the future or is it only done once say on a new CB radio? Thx.
Well I'm in complete agreement w/ most of the comments I read. Great video. Well put together and easy to understand. Looks like you all haven't posted any other videos in a while and I don't know if you answer questions posted in these comments but I'll give it a shot. Does this procedure and methodology i.e. tuning to the top and bottom of the radio's capabilities in the spectrum work with marine VHF radios as well?
Great presentation, I fully understand how to tune now after watching your once. Thank you sir.
"Ann-tanna" lol Great video though, man.
Scott Skinner drove me crazy for no reason
Scott Skinner LOL
I don’t know what a antanna is I have a antenna will that work?
phuck ewe dang it!!!
Omg this killed me wtf
On your reference cal knob turn it down (attenuate) so it doesn't deflect and peg the needle all the way to the right. Pegging a needle will throw it out of calibration. You then tune it to the maximum point you need. That's what we used to do on old Byrd wattmeters (excellent but expensive piece of equipment) that we used to use on old military radios.
He did.
I did my SWR meter readings per your instructions. I got 1.7 on chan 1. I got 1.6 on chan 40. Do I need to do anything with my antenna regarding length? TIA
With 1.7 and 1.6, we'd leave it alone. Check out the updated SWR tuning video as well: th-cam.com/video/HPH4UOWe_48/w-d-xo.htmlsi=89zs4fT2hZiqggoW
So if you’re high on high you’re long, and if you’re high on low you’re short. I have to remember it that way. Helpful.