A99 higher SWR in CB band, but not in 'C' band

[mr_fx]

I have an A99 and the SWRs are weird... I have tried to adjust them, but it just does not help much

C 1 (40 below CB 1) 1.05

CB 1 1.3
CB 20 1.45
CB 40 1.65

E 40 (40 above CB 40) 2.2

 

[Robb]

Sounds like it is a little bit too long . . .

 

[mr_fx]

Sounds like it is a little bit too long . . .

that's what I thought... but how does that happen with an A99?

 

[Robb]

that's what I thought... but how does that happen with an A99?

Did someone replace the top section?

 

[W5LZ]

I'd leave it as is. Nothing wrong with the readings you're getting.
- 'Doc

 

[mr_fx]

Did someone replace the top section?

not that I know of... BUT the previous owner was running it somewhere other than CB

 

[Robb]

not that I know of... BUT the previous owner was running it somewhere other than CB

Can you ask him what he did to the antenna?

 

[mr_fx]

Can you ask him what he did to the antenna?

nope... he has vanished from the planet... like for real

 

[Marconi]

If you take it down check the tip length. It should be 72" long if it is stock, and I think the A99 has Antron, Holland, Ohio printed on the plastic cover on top. That might tell you if the length has been changed.

You might also compare you radio bands and see if they all produce about the same RF output using a good dummy load. The SWR may show about the same with such a setup, but the watts could be different. If so, the radio is not tuned right, but if it is not much then, "don't worry about it."

 

[mr_fx]

same, similar SWR with several radios...

 

[mr_fx]

well I have 2 radials from a GPK laying around... they are the same length as the A99 top section... I could cut some length from them and use one of them as a new top sction for the A99

also the tip was missing when I got it... I installed a universal tip (AKA silicone)

 

[mr_fx]

I take that back the radials are only 69" or so

 

[Robb]

Be sure that you are running it at least 20 ft off of the ground or higher and it isn't close to any metal object at the same height - as this will affect the antenna.

This antenna is designed to have a very wide usable bandwidth. The fact that it is getting too narrow to use on all of 40 above and below CB freqs tells me that something isn't quite right with it.

I wouldn't accept 2.2 SWR from an antenna that should tune to 1.1. The point is that it isn't resonant at the freq he wants to use it on. So, I would take the antenna down and check the length of the upper section. Inspect it to see if it has been altered.

 

[mr_fx]

yeah... I think it will work for now

 

[mr_fx]

so if the top section is proper length then WHY would it be doing this?