Hi
This is new to me. My Cobra is stock only a minor mod not sure what was done (Pipe fitter by trade ) I would like to boost output. what would I need to do??
Will I need to change antenna. The radio is mounted in my motor home, antenna ( installed at factory )is a ground plane type because the ground wire from the
antenna goes to the all aluminum roof the roof is 7' wide and 38' long. I have a 190 amp alternator, the engine is diesel and in the rear.
rambler40
cobra 29 WX ST
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TheCBDoctor
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Hi Rambler40,rambler40 wrote:Hi
This is new to me. My Cobra is stock only a minor mod not sure what was done (Pipe fitter by trade ) I would like to boost output. what would I need to do??
Will I need to change antenna. The radio is mounted in my motor home, antenna ( installed at factory )is a ground plane type because the ground wire from the
antenna goes to the all aluminum roof the roof is 7' wide and 38' long. I have a 190 amp alternator, the engine is diesel and in the rear.
rambler40
I suspect that the minor mod already done to your radio has been to boast the power. The best you can do now is get the best antenna you can get. If you are camping I would put up an I-Max 2000 base station. When you are the road the best antenna is the one that can be placed above the body of the vehicle, but won't hit bridges (13' 6")
Placement and antenna type would be a compromise between performance and practically. The I-Max does not need a ground plane and can be mounted on a pole or even a tree. There are very forgiving. I don't advocate using amps but that is a way to extend your distance.
I'll let others that are more experienced on the subject make suggestions. My suggestion is you do not "need" one.
Respectfully,
Respectfully as always,
Rick
Rick
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rambler40
- Mud-Duck Jr.
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Thanks for the quick reply. Checked the SWR it is 3 ? The antenna is a ground plane I think because the bracket is grounded to the whole aluminum roof
Roof is about 7' wide 38 feet long the mount is in the center of the roof and as far to the front as possible. I have cleaned all the connection on the antenna.
Thinking about changing the antenna ( just a steel whip/ no name ) to a Firestik 2' with a tune able tip any thing might hit some of the low bridges.
Any ideas??
Roof is about 7' wide 38 feet long the mount is in the center of the roof and as far to the front as possible. I have cleaned all the connection on the antenna.
Thinking about changing the antenna ( just a steel whip/ no name ) to a Firestik 2' with a tune able tip any thing might hit some of the low bridges.
Any ideas??
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rambler40
- Mud-Duck Jr.
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- Joined: March 31st, 2011, 7:46 pm
Hi All
Went on the roof of the coach cleaned all the connection. Hooked up the SWR meter when keying the mike the meter will not go past the # 3 will not go all the way to the calibration mark. What could be wrong??
rambler40
Went on the roof of the coach cleaned all the connection. Hooked up the SWR meter when keying the mike the meter will not go past the # 3 will not go all the way to the calibration mark. What could be wrong??
rambler40
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TheCBDoctor
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rambler40 wrote:Hi All
Went on the roof of the coach cleaned all the connection. Hooked up the SWR meter when keying the mike the meter will not go past the # 3 will not go all the way to the calibration mark. What could be wrong??
rambler40
A 3 to 1 SWR is an indication of a lack of a good ground plane. Aluminum makes a poor ground plane. You may not be able to calibrate the meter because your SWR is higher than you believe. My suggestion is to get an antenna that does not require a ground-plane. That is how they do it for marine radios. They make a few antenna models that do not need a ground plane for CB radios. They are usually designed as a Di-pole or use the coax as the ground plane. I suggest the Di-Pole style.
Respectfully,
Respectfully as always,
Rick
Rick
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rambler40
- Mud-Duck Jr.
- Posts: 4
- Joined: March 31st, 2011, 7:46 pm
Hi Rick
I goggled a dipole antenna and based on the pictures there is no way to string the wires on the out side of the motor home.
Could you sugest a brand of a dipole antenna that does not require the long wires. Or a no ground plane antenna. I am not much of a electrical person.
This whole porblem started because I could not get any one to answer me on the radio. With all the corrosion on the antenna I think it might have grounded the center wire of the antenna.Because the 3/8-24 threads were rusted to the bracket . Up till now the radio has worked great but the coach had to sit out side for two years in Florida.
Rambler 40
I goggled a dipole antenna and based on the pictures there is no way to string the wires on the out side of the motor home.
Could you sugest a brand of a dipole antenna that does not require the long wires. Or a no ground plane antenna. I am not much of a electrical person.
This whole porblem started because I could not get any one to answer me on the radio. With all the corrosion on the antenna I think it might have grounded the center wire of the antenna.Because the 3/8-24 threads were rusted to the bracket . Up till now the radio has worked great but the coach had to sit out side for two years in Florida.
Rambler 40
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maddogfletch
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- Antenna: 102" Steel Whip
- Radio: Glaxy DX 959
- Contact:
Hey Rambler 40,
Welcome to the site! The antenna is mounted to the roof of your RV correct? Might I suggest taking that one off and using a mirror style mount like the semi drivers do? I do not know if your antenna runs the television as well? If so, just take the CB coax off and use a mirror mount. I would advocate new coax as well since it has sat for so long. This could help the problem immensly.
I just mounted a 102" steel whip to my travel trailer. I made an aluminum bracket and screwed it to one of the awning supports. My SWR isn't the best at 1.4:1 but she works fine.
Welcome to the site! The antenna is mounted to the roof of your RV correct? Might I suggest taking that one off and using a mirror style mount like the semi drivers do? I do not know if your antenna runs the television as well? If so, just take the CB coax off and use a mirror mount. I would advocate new coax as well since it has sat for so long. This could help the problem immensly.
I just mounted a 102" steel whip to my travel trailer. I made an aluminum bracket and screwed it to one of the awning supports. My SWR isn't the best at 1.4:1 but she works fine.
