Antenna Grounding on semi tractor

[Treefork]

Hey guys, another question. Grounding this antenna. Do I need a ground wire and where? My swr on radio meter is around 1.5. It's a wilson 5/8 wave 1000w just needed something better than stock.

 

[binrat]

I would make sure that the mount has a good connection to the bar. 1.5 is good for swr.

 

[Treefork]

It's tighter than it looks. I need longer screws.

 

[binrat]

It's tighter than it looks. I need longer screws.

I would replace the bolts and go with it. Adjusting the tip may lower the swr more.

 

[222DBFL]

Also any paint or coating that can be removed, take it to bare metal and use a little bit of no-ox. Not too much, just a very light coat of no-ox will keep the bare metal from rusting.

 

[222DBFL]

And take the other antenna down as well.

 

[M0GVZ]

Hey guys, another question. Grounding this antenna. Do I need a ground wire and where? My swr on radio meter is around 1.5. It's a wilson 5/8 wave 1000w just needed something better than stock.

You need to throw that mount in the bin and get the antenna on the cab. No amount of ground wires are going to make up for it.

The groundplane starts where the shield connects to the antenna mount and its the amount of metal underneath the antenna that matters, not what is alongside it. Mounting it on the mirror bracket like that, you've effectively got no groundplane and the whole thing is quite lossy. Putting ground straps on it doesn't compensate.

Whilst adding a ground wire might make a good ground for DC it is piss poor to the point of worthlessness for RF.

 

[binrat]

While that maybe ideal, with some companies, not allowed.

 

[GnG8d]

Probably fiberglass roof anyway.

 

[Treefork]

Probably fiberglass roof anyway.

Yep and it's a long term rental and I can't put it on cab.