I’ll start by stating what I have
2015 Dodge Ram crew cab
Stryker 955 hpc
Upgraded power cord straight to battery
Breedlove stake hole mount
mounted in stake Hole drivers side by tailgate.
LMR400 coax
102” whip
Swr 2.0 :1 channel 20. 27.205
stryker A10 mag mount 1:1
swr is 2.0 no matter what I try. Changed coax, grounded to several spots, no short. Tested mount, coax and antenna with ohm meter. Is it the location? Can’t stand the mag mount. any thoughts? Any help is much appreciated!!
Welcome!
FWIW, I'd be pleased to show up at a friends place to help with an install and he has the list you’ve shown. That good faith effort means all else will be easy.
His attitude.
I’ve likened this endeavor to learning to tie various knots as a Boy Scout.
One had to pull it apart over & over until it’s right.
Nothing quite like having your Scoutmaster lend inspiration via wartime combat tales of
getting it right first time, every time.
It’s just a damned knot!
No, it’s quite something other than the gear being assembled.
That learning repetition is not a direct analogy about your rig install, but . . I’ve come to accept in
my efforts that
an installation is a first draft and that I WILL have to go back over everything. Several times. Even, many times.
First time isn’t every time until a ways into the future (for me).
My experience with install isn’t being held out as your template. Takes me awhile to “see” some things. That gets me away from the
feelings of frustration
which warp my view.
1). One knows that the radio gear, accessories, and antenna “work” due to the efforts of others. Are even recommended.
2). One knows that using the template of another’s installation (or many) “should” result in
best performance and
greatest satisfaction given least amount of effort.
3). Herein lays (for me) the trap. I have the
distinct impression that those best at this (method or process) are interested more in
what’s wrong versus, “Hey, I’m done!”
— “What doesn’t work” isn’t an item of gear — or similar manifestation of theory applied — so much as it is testing one’s understanding of
prediction.
Knowing the least means my mental map is basically a salad colander.
Electricity, it is said,
takes the path of least resistance. For me, that’s hidden . . until it isn’t.
So, why?
— I greatly enjoy reading posts of those experienced in antenna-building and predicted performance. The satisfaction is obvious.
4). Turning on the power in a mobile install (my only real experience) has become anti-climactic. Time & effort have shown me that it’s another waypoint,
not a destination.
— Component-by-component is
my map to reading more. The backwards approach. As I see it, details lead to generalities.
Instruction is usually the reverse.
It’s not “what”, but “how”.
True, that Radio is about communication at distance. On any given afternoon of use one has learned the mindfulness that
the shop doors are always open, technicians standing by.
The physicality of mobile installations is that knot-tying. A form of dance. Re-tracing steps.
Not frustrations.
Takes me awhile to hear the music.
.
