To add or not to add a spring, that is the question.

[smitty74]

Hi All,

I got a galaxy dx99v and a 4ft firestick II from a buuddy. I hooked it all up and it seems to work well. I don't have a meter to test swr, butican get one. My question is, how much does adding a spring change the swr?

[jessejamesdallas]

hard to say until you try it...It's not going to change the SWR enough to where it would be a problem tho.

[smitty74]

hard to say until you try it...It's not going to change the SWR enough to where it would be a problem tho.

Thats what I was thinking.

[MDYoungblood]

Personally I don't care for springs, the antenna itself has enough flexibility to withstand striking an obstacle but even with a spring it won't survive an extremely hard strike. Most times adding a spring, the antenna will need to be adjusted for the additional length. Just about all new antennas are made "long" because it is easier to shorten by removing some wire or clip the whip then it is to lengthen.

3's

Greg

[smitty74]

Personally I don't care for springs, the antenna itself has enough flexibility to withstand striking an obstacle but even with a spring it won't survive an extremely hard strike. Most times adding a spring, the antenna will need to be adjusted for the additional length. Just about all new antennas are made "long" because it is easier to shorten by removing some wire or clip the whip then it is to lengthen.

3's

Greg

I have decided to leave it the way it is. My SWR is 1.3 to 1.4 on every channel from 1-40. I figured if it ain't broke dont fix it.

[jessejamesdallas]

Personally I don't care for springs, the antenna itself has enough flexibility to withstand striking an obstacle but even with a spring it won't survive an extremely hard strike. Most times adding a spring, the antenna will need to be adjusted for the additional length. Just about all new antennas are made "long" because it is easier to shorten by removing some wire or clip the whip then it is to lengthen.

3's

Greg

I have decided to leave it the way it is. My SWR is 1.3 to 1.4 on every channel from 1-40. I figured if it ain't broke dont fix it.

In your case, adding a spring might lower the SWR a bit more...

[MDYoungblood]

That is actually an excellent SWR for a FireStik, like JJD said you could try the spring just to see if they come down a little more, I think you said it was a used antenna so it might have been tuned for when on the other vehicle. If they do improve then I would change the spring out for a stud and nut about the length of the spring. some other things to is bonding if you haven't already done that, start with the flat surfaces, hood and trunk lid. If I may ask what vehicle is this antenna setup on, don't remember if you said in other posts.

3's

Greg

[smitty74]

That is actually an excellent SWR for a FireStik, like JJD said you could try the spring just to see if they come down a little more, I think you said it was a used antenna so it might have been tuned for when on the other vehicle. If they do improve then I would change the spring out for a stud and nut about the length of the spring. some other things to is bonding if you haven't already done that, start with the flat surfaces, hood and trunk lid. If I may ask what vehicle is this antenna setup on, don't remember if you said in other posts.

3's

Greg

The vehicle is its mounted on is a 89 jeep grand Cherokee. It is mount on the left side slightly about 6 inches to the left of the tail light. I think for the location and age of the antenna i cant really complain about the SWR.

[MDYoungblood]

There are several in my area that have them in about the same place, a 1.3:1 SWR is excellent there. If the antenna is old like said and you plan to upgrade to a another that length I would recommend finding a Everhardt brand, [Please login or register to view this link] , they usually are tuned right out of the package and can be easily tweaked.

3's

Greg

[smitty74]

There are several in my area that have them in about the same place, a 1.3:1 SWR is excellent there. If the antenna is old like said and you plan to upgrade to a another that length I would recommend finding a Everhardt brand, [Please login or register to view this link] , they usually are tuned right out of the package and can be easily tweaked.

3's

Greg

I have been looking at those ina 4ft. Should i go with the super flex, full wave, or 1.5 wave?

[MDYoungblood]

The SOTT is my choice.

3's

Greg

[smitty74]

The SOTT is my choice.

3's

Greg

That's the way I was leaning, thanks Greg

[530]

What vehicle is it on? (About the 4 ft FS).
Do not use a spring.
Match your SWRs on Channel 1 and Channel 40, your lowest should be Channel 20. If you match perfectly will be good for 11meters and some of 10 and 12 if you have em and a good antenna setup, not sure about a FS never liked them, bad eff. and not sure of the bandwidth. If you use just one Channel you can just lower your SWRs on that one Channel. I use a Predator 10K Single Coil 27 inch shaft on a Puck Mount on LMR400UF Coax to a Stryker 955HPC. SWRs are matched 1:1 on 1 and 40 and 20 the meter just moves a hair. The other antenna beside the 108 inch whip W/O Spring I use a 7ft Skip Shooter Antenna.