My export is being poopy

[roadrage]

Well I was surfing through my channels and ended up on ch 1 and pegged the my 2M's S-meter. So I checked it out further. I only bleed into my 2M while my CB is on ch 1 & 2. As I was having trouble with my SWR not being as low as I'd like(1.4 ch 40 and 1.2 ch 1 after installing the second antenna. It was a flat 1.15 on ch 1 & 40 before). I never could quite get it flat again even after re-tuning. I decided to remove the second antenna that was on the roof. I am flat again, but now 1.5 on all channels so today I'll raise the stinger back to where it was before I re-tuned it. I found 2 breaks in the insulation of the coax for the 2M antenna and the shielding was exposed to the cab of the truck. Maybe that was part of my problem??? I will have to figure out another location for the second radio antenna. I can't transmit on the 2M anyway till I get my ticket. I've just been using it like a mobile scanner, to listen to local and state police, and also I use the NOAA weather. Either way, I am going to go to a permenant mount on the CB antenna instead of a magmount, and maybe creat an RF choke at the feed point. My second antenna will have to find a home other than the roof of the cab.

 

[binrat]

Don't take personal but it sounds like you installed you antennas half assed in the first place. Have 1 antenna for 1 radio, properly mounted and then the same for the second. Proper installation will solve this and make sure you protect your coax as well as proper grounding of the antennas / vehicle / radios.
I ran a Optima mk2 into a DX500 seeing 400ish watts and my 2 metre antenna was about 2 feet away with no problems.

 

[roadrage]

How exactly is that? I had 1 antenna that the SWR was as good as it gets. I installed a second and it threw off the SWR of the first one. I moved locations of both antennas trying to find a sweet spot for them. They are both in spot where they do the least amount of reactance to each other. I retuned to an acceptable level, but the second antena was keeping from an ideal match. I upgraded my radio to a more powerful one and it amplified my problem. I then sent that radio out to a reputable shop to retune it and get it right. I am still having problems so I removed the second antenna and have to re-tune the first again. I have to wait until I can save enough to start over with my system. How is that a bad install exactly?? Any one who knows radios, know that every install is different. I happened to have two antennas that are obviously having issues with each other, so I took one down and am starting over. So I couldn't afford a new antenna for my 2M radio. I ended up with used stuff and I found the coax was too old and the insulation broke open after a few months. I guess I am a shitbag beause I live on military disability and can't afford a lot of new equipment. I think your comment was quite offensive and irritating.

Some people seemed generally insterested in my ongoing problem. As I try to remedy it I continually update my findings and what actions I am taking. I do this so that someone else, who maybe experiencing similar effects, may get a little insight from this. I also am welcoming any constructive comments from those people here who have more knowledge than I do, that might want to lend some intellectual help to a newcomer like myself.

I started a different thread stating my stress levels in an attempt to not have someone dump on me for asking a simple question. People acted like I was the ass for imploring that people not act like I'm a stupid retard for not knowing something. I appologized for my assumption of my asking a question would yeild at least 1 nasty reply from some know-it-all. You, good sir, just proved my point. There are a lot of nice and helpful people on this site, but I must say that there are a fair share of jerks too.

 

[binrat]

OK, RR, explain your whole set up. Vehicle, antenna location, type of antennas, any grounding that you may have, power source for the radios. Pictures maybe good as well.

 

[The Mad Scientist]

i would like to ask a question;

how is the swr on the cb antenna with the 2 meter antenna removed from the vehicle? if you have an acceptable swr with it removed and then it goes up with the 2 meter antenna installed then the one is "seeing" the other. not sure if you checked the swr on the 2 meter antenna just to see if it is seeing the other antenna.

wondering if you have done any grounding/bonding work on the vehicle? as this may, or may not help. i had a similar problem with trying two hf antennae installed on the roof of my full sized truck, i could never get the swr down low enough because of the close proximity of the two antennae.

 

[roadrage]

i would like to ask a question;

how is the swr on the cb antenna with the 2 meter antenna removed from the vehicle? if you have an acceptable swr with it removed and then it goes up with the 2 meter antenna installed then the one is "seeing" the other. not sure if you checked the swr on the 2 meter antenna just to see if it is seeing the other antenna.

wondering if you have done any grounding/bonding work on the vehicle? as this may, or may not help. i had a similar problem with trying two hf antennae installed on the roof of my full sized truck, i could never get the swr down low enough because of the close proximity of the two antennae.

Long story here as there are different radios have been installed, uninstalled...

I started with a tuned Galaxy 929 with a Wilson 1K on a 02 Silverado 2500HD. Factory bonding of body panels only. Wilson mag mount placed center roof and tuned to SWR of 1.15 on ch1 and ch40 and the needle doesn't move on 19. Installed an Icom V8000 2M mobile with generic mag mount (no ticket so receive only. I have never touched the PTT on the mic.) SWR on CB system raised and balance so that ch1 was 1.4 and ch 40 was 3. I played with locations and ended up with the Wilson 2/3 toward the front center of roof. 2m antenna at very rear center of roof. SWR balanced better but not great so re-tuned the Wilson. Best SWR acheived was about 1.3.
Then managed to get my hands on a Galaxy 95t2 to replace the Galaxy 929. I installed a ground from the radio chassis to the cab as the radio mount it bolted to a plastic dash. With the 95t2 at full power SWR about 1.5 and 1.4 on ch 1 and 40. Then also had the bleed over onto the 2M radio (set to local PD 155.310) that got worse exponetionally as CB channels dropped from ch 15 down to ch 1. Sent Galaxy 95t2 to DTB Radio and problem was better and only happens when CB is on ch 1 and ch 2. Further inspection finds coax with exposed sheilding near cab on the 2m antenna (though I dont see how the shielding that connects to the counterpoise anyway would cause this on a radio that only receives) So I removed the 2m antenna and re-tuned the Wilson again. External meter is showing 1.25 on ch 1 and ch 40. Power meter also showing a balanced DK on all channels, also raised DK up 7W from 25 to 32W total. Peak reading also raised up from 80W to 100W.

Power supply are the supplied power wires for both radios and they run straight to the battery (same battery)

I plan on ordering a NMO style roof mount for my Wilson and making a choke at the feed. Then I'll try to re-introduce the 2M antenna (with a new coax) and see if anything changes.

 

[The Mad Scientist]

it sounds like you will need to move the antennae farther apart. you may want to see about mounting the 2 meter antenna somewhere on the bed or vise-versa. i don't think that you will be able to get the swr any better than you have now with that high power radio...by all means keep trying other locations, but in the end i think you may end up having to move them farther apart.

good luck.

 

[binrat]

On my old truck (05 gmc sierra) I had my 2 metre antenna mount on the drivers side in front of the windsheild using a 5/8 wave antenna ANT58 2M 5/8 Wave 3/8-24 Stud Mount Whip - Canada and with a Wilson hardmount 5000 top dead centre of the roof. The 2 metre antenna was right beside the hood hinge, all I had to do was trim so of the plastic cover off a bit and it work perfect.

What Wilson mag mount is it??

 

[roadrage]

Its the 1000. But I'll probably try to just keep the Wilson on the roof and change to a hardmount, when I can. I have to save for it, but its only $30-$40. I was thinking of putting a 2M in the bed, but I think I like the idea of one in front of the windshield.

Another possibility is setting up a 102" in the bed. It will probably be as cheap for a 102 and mount as it would be for the roof mount for the Wilson. I am pretty sure I have an 18ft piece of coax somewhere. I'd get better performance from the full 1/4 wave than a base load coil design. I could put the 2M on the roof or in front of the windshield. After my son's birthday I should be able to start to put some money aside. Either way, I have some time to think about it. It'll be a while until I get my HAM ticket anyway. I'll miss having the WX and I'll miss listening to the police chatter. It keeps me from getting bored when the skip is quiet. The log truck drivers on 19 and 21 will have to do for now, lol.

 

[binrat]

RR,
Some of your issues maybe the mag mounts. They are good for temp installs or not wanting to damage the vehicle but in my mind a slightly inferrior to hardmount.

 

[roadrage]

RR,
Some of your issues maybe the mag mounts. They are good for temp installs or not wanting to damage the vehicle but in my mind a slightly inferrior to hardmount.

I have no doubt of that.

 

[binrat]

Hey,
I got the old 2 metre mount from my 05 gmc sierra sitting in the garage, you want it?? All you would have to do is get a new 2 metre atenna to fit it.

 

[roadrage]

Hey,
I got the old 2 metre mount from my 05 gmc sierra sitting in the garage, you want it?? All you would have to do is get a new 2 metre atenna to fit it.

Is that the one you put in front of the WS?

 

[binrat]

Is that the one you put in front of the WS?

Yes it is.