CB tuning help

Nissan11

Nissan11

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Location
Marston, NC
I just moved my dual antennas around a bit. Now that I've got them where I want, here are my readings:

CH 1- 1.5
CH 20- 1.8
CH 40- 2.2

I know this means my antennas are too long, but are those readings enough proof that I really need to cut them down a bit? How much performance am I losing if I don't shorten the antennas and leave them the way they are?

Locations....


ai130.photobucket.com_albums_p275_nissan11_Mobile_20Uploads_IMG_5043.jpg


ai130.photobucket.com_albums_p275_nissan11_Mobile_20Uploads_IMG_3605.jpg
 
I passed you on 85 this morning.....truck is looking good.

I know squat on CB's though.....
 
Why are you running two antenna's? You will be better off with one. The reason large trucks runs two is to get around the 13ft 6in trailer.
 
Your Hot Dog Guy! said:
Why are you running two antenna's? You will be better off with one. The reason large trucks runs two is to get around the 13ft 6in trailer.
Click to expand...

I'm doing it for more directional performance (straight ahead and straight back.)
My truck is long enough that I am able to mount them 1/2 wave length apart so it should work out good.
 
Do they have the wire wrapped around the fiberglass? If so you just remove the cap on the top and cut a little wire off. Like 1/4 inch at a time until you get the desired reading. You are currently safe as it is, but the closer to 1 the better. I doubt you'll lose any range at all by shortening the wire to get a better tune. More than likely you'll get out better since you'll be at the right wave length. (Just remember to reinstall the cap when testing after adjusting.)
 
i'd personally recommend getting some sort of spring for each antenna... if you dont want to shatter them on something. then i guess you would just need to trim more to account for the added height of the spring. thats just my .02, i have bad luck with fiberglass antennas.
 
rattlecanpaint said:
Do they have the wire wrapped around the fiberglass? If so you just remove the cap on the top and cut a little wire off. Like 1/4 inch at a time until you get the desired reading. You are currently safe as it is, but the closer to 1 the better. I doubt you'll lose any range at all by shortening the wire to get a better tune. More than likely you'll get out better since you'll be at the right wave length. (Just remember to reinstall the cap when testing after adjusting.)
Click to expand...

These antennas don't have wire coiled around the outside.
 
from your SWR's I'd say your coax is too short. Are you running a full 18' like you're supposed to?
 
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