I need antenna help

[jkp1]

I've been running mag mount antennas on my pick-up for several years, Wilson 1000's, that I replace periodically as they corrode. A couple of weeks ago, I bought a new Little Will, ( tired of hitting all the low branches in the neighborhood). It never worked right. The SWR's fluctuated randomly. I thought it might be do to all the rain. Saturday, they went really high and stayed that way. Today, I bought another antenna, but it did the same thing. I tried 3 different radio's on both antenna's, with the same result's.

I have no idea what to do next. Can anyone help?

 

[M0GVZ]

Change the coax and mount. The chances are that what has happened is the coax has become crimped or crushed where you bring it into the vehicle if its through a door, trunk, hatch etc. That will affect the SWR as the impedance of the coax is determined by the ratio of the diameter of the outer of the centre to the inner of the braid, a gap that gets reduced when you crimp or crush the coax.

Personally I'd do away with a crappy mag mount and drill a hole in the roof and use a fixed mount. Once you've done that then low branches aren't an issue unless you're using a rigid antenna like the Firestik.

 

[RT431]

I agree. Drill the hole and install a fixed mount Wilson 1k\5k on the roof. You'll be much happier.

 

[jkp1]

Change the coax and mount. The chances are that what has happened is the coax has become crimped or crushed where you bring it into the vehicle if its through a door, trunk, hatch etc. That will affect the SWR as the impedance of the coax is determined by the ratio of the diameter of the outer of the centre to the inner of the braid, a gap that gets reduced when you crimp or crush the coax.

Personally I'd do away with a crappy mag mount and drill a hole in the roof and use a fixed mount. Once you've done that then low branches aren't an issue unless you're using a rigid antenna like the Firestik.

At first Ithbought that too. I got a new antenna and it did the same thing. I've been wanting to drill a hole, just haven't taken the leap. I get bogged down trying to figure out the best coax, mount .etc. I'm not lookin forward to pulling down the headliner either.

 

[Mudfoot]

Sometimes, you can drill/punch a whole above the dope light without removing liner. Fish coax to the front, rear or edge with long stiff wire.

 

[TheRealPorkchop]

Sometimes, you can drill/punch a whole above the dope light without removing liner. Fish coax to the front, rear or edge with long stiff wire.

That’s was cool.

 

[2315 Robert]

View attachment 29450

That’s was cool.

good grief. Little Will will work but the others he mentioned are better. A 2 ft firestick with a ground to the frame of 8 ga or braided flat will give amazing results and low swr. I would think with a 5ft length on the 1000 a 3 ft Wilson silver load or a firestick would give great results. I have not experienced an swr issue due to rain. I have a few tram antennas that do do that. I have a camper that I put on my truck so normally I put the 1000 out on the hood. Not ideal. Yes I said do do.

 

[M0GVZ]

I've been wanting to drill a hole, just haven't taken the leap. I get bogged down trying to figure out the best coax, mount .etc.

The mount is easy - Breedlove antenna mount. It'll outlive the vehicle. The best coax doesn't matter, the run is so short, typically around 15ft in a mobile install, that it makes no difference you'll notice so just buy some good quality RG58.

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/puck-mounts.html

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/nmo-mounts.html

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/so-239-mounts.html

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/cb-ball-.html

 

[jkp1]

The mount is easy - Breedlove antenna mount. It'll outlive the vehicle. The best coax doesn't matter, the run is so short, typically around 15ft in a mobile install, that it makes no difference you'll notice so just buy some good quality RG58.

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/puck-mounts.html

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/nmo-mounts.html

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/so-239-mounts.html

https://www.breedlovemounts.com/cb-ball-.html

Thanks for the links. I've looked at those. Guess I just need to take the leap.

 

[w9cll]

Breedlove mounts are simply the best you can ever get

 

[W4KVW]

Also there is only ONE SWR on an antenna. That is why they only sell SWR Meters & not SWR's meters. Only one Standing Wave Ratio. LOL

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[FL Native]

and throw away the lil wil it is junk LOL