102” HELP!!!

[BammBamm]

I am running a uniden 980ssb into a RM 203p and a Tram triple magnet mount with a Tram TBC-9 antenna with a SWR of 1.2 on both ends of the band and I also have the chassis of the radio and amp grounded to the seat mount bolts in my truck now here’s the new problem...I want to use a 102” whip but when I put it in my magnetic mount my SWR goes to 2.5 and yes I’m using a spring also. What gives?

 

[W4KVW]

Do you have the nylon washer in the right spot? Only thing I can think of off the top of my bald empty head. LOL

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Handy Andy]

Does the Spring you use, have a GOOD QUALITY braid rising up thru the center of the coil spring?

To determine that, you may have to bolt both ends of the spring for you to be able to torque the spring open (flex it) to show if you have a braid or not.

The braid is to allow RF signal to propagate up thru the path of least resistance - that is supposed to be the braid inside the coil of the spring - it's attached to both the lower and upper ferrule thread mount - the coil just provides length and tensile strength to handle the whipping and whacking that the whip will encounter in everyday use...

Usually with a S/Steel spring - the braid is supposed to be a good quality thick flex braid.

If it's used, then corrosion may have set in and you may not be able to use it...it is broken somewhere internally and won't be able to keep the SWR low.

 

[loosecannon]

unground the chassis of the radio and amp.
check SWR.
post results please.
LC

 

[BammBamm]

Antenna and spring are brand new. Braid is good. Not sure of what washer you are referring to as I am using a triple magnetic mount. Will remove ground tomorrow and post results as it’s about 20 degrees outside here right now (Chicago).

 

[BammBamm]

Ok I have disconnected the ground and found no difference but....if I have amp inline but powered off I have a 2.23 on 1 and 2.41 on 40.....if I power up amp I get a 1.21 on 1 and a 1.27 on 40! I almost always have it on but is this correct?

 

[BammBamm]

Also if I take amp out of line I have a 1.83 on 1 and a 1.16 on 40!

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Maybe a bad jumper between radio and amp?

 

[undertaker]

You do not need a nylon washer................

 

[Tallman]

Don't check SWR with an amp in line. If you measure the SWR going into the amp and it is high then the amp is bad.
Check the SWR straight from the radio to the antenna and see what it reads.
Radio----SWRmeter------Antenna.

 

[Mudduckmobile]

Just my .02 cents worth.
I run an SWR meter at the back of my Radio, then I have my Amp, Then I have an SWR meter on to my antenna.
I have found this to be a great way of watching my Radio's health as well as the Amp's.
Running mobile I find this very important as mobile's tend to have some swr problems at times. (I also do the same on my home base...I like to be safe).

 

[Tallman]

If you have to leave your meters in line that's the way to do it. And it also works only if the radio has not been tuned for "Ghost Watts".

 

[Mudduckmobile]

If you have to leave your meters in line that's the way to do it.

I always have my meters inline... I have meters every place....Power lines, coax, audio levels, you name it. If I can "see it working good I know to look for the bad"....Or something like that

 

[Tallman]

Okay I got you now, gadget nut just like me!

 

[Mudduckmobile]

Okay I got you now, gadget nut just like me!

It's cheaper in the long run.