No frame to ground to

[EZridaz]

Just like the title says...I have a Cherokee which is a Unibody. The body is all metal panels which is good. So where would you get a good ground from? Just run a junction block on the metal inner fender, maybe the firewall or floorboard under the carpet? I have never been able to get my SWR's below 1.5-2. With the Gen Lee on its way and fireplace in the future I have to get these down. I have a hard mount in the center of the roof with NMO mount if that helps. Thanks!!!

[high_octan36]

if was i would suggest grounding to the sub frame on each side and see what happen after doing that but as allways the more ground the better one other idea is your look to ground inside the cab to use seat bolt

[Circuit Breaker]

Connect some 1/2" braid from the body to the frame, preferably four...one in each corner. Also, you're actually better off running both leads for the power all the way to the battery.

[EZridaz]

if was i would suggest grounding to the sub frame on each side and see what happen after doing that but as allways the more ground the better one other idea is your look to ground inside the cab to use seat bolt

By subframe you mean where my crossmember connects to from side to side? I would like to keep all grounding to the inside of the cab. By doing so I guess I will have to ground from negative battery to the fender inside engine compartment to firewall to floor to seat bolt for amp all with 12"-15" straps connecting each and from the roof back down to the seat bolt for the antenna or am I way off in left field here?

[EZridaz]

Connect some 1/2" braid from the body to the frame, preferably four...one in each corner. Also, you're actually better off running both leads for the power all the way to the battery.

Thats my problem I dont have a frame! I will have to concentrate my grounding to a body panel I believe. I will run both leads directly to the battery.

[jessejamesdallas]

Find out where your battery is grounded. And ground there.

What kind or rather "What Brand" of antenna are you using, that you can get the swr below 1.5?

And one other thing...I know you said it was "Hard Mounted" in the center of the roof. One thing you may want to try, is get a magnet mounted antenna, and see if it will tune better, towards the back of the roof...

Some cars and trucks will tune lower, if the antenna is near the rear of the roof...I know on my Suburban this was the case. I had same problem trying to mount in the center of the roof, but 6" from the back, it tunes flat!

[EZridaz]

Find out where your battery is grounded. And ground there.

What kind or rather "What Brand" of antenna are you using, that you can get the swr below 1.5?

And one other thing...I know you said it was "Hard Mounted" in the center of the roof. One thing you may want to try, is get a magnet mounted antenna, and see if it will tune better, towards the back of the roof...

Some cars and trucks will tune lower, if the antenna is near the rear of the roof...I know on my Suburban this was the case. I had same problem trying to mount in the center of the roof, but 6" from the back, it tunes flat!

Thanks!!!...I wasnt even thinking like that...I've read so much about frame I believe I got tunnel vision on it.
I have the Antenex C27 antenna...I see all of our Fire-Rescue and Sheriff running them here and thought they might be pretty good...Not bad but I need something different to go with the Gen Lee thats coming and fireplace in the making soon. When I bought the antenna the shop told me not to cut it as it came tuned for 26-30, which I have always thought you still had too by an inch or so until you match.
I have a little Hustler MM that I got pretty good SWR's at different locations on the roof.Really about the same no matter where I put it. I also run a roof rack and tire up there towards the back of the roof for wheeling trips. The center of the roof was the most logical so I could still carry supplies. I would really like to try a Wilson MM and move it around to see what I get. I emailed P10k site with some Q's I have about one of your antennas. I really dont want the attention it will bring me up top on the road,besides wheeling with it. I would like to be able to run an adapter from the NMO to 239 so I could still sit at home and talk like a base only from the Jeep but be able to go wheeling with the Antenex.Would that be feasible? Thanks again for your reply and help! It is greatly appreciated!!!

[BigBopper]

you can ground to the seat post, floorboard, anywhere on an Unibody car

[EZridaz]

you can ground to the seat post, floorboard, anywhere on an Unibody car

Thanks!!!!Thats what I was basically asking. Do you have to keep running straps from where your battery grounds to where you ground your amp...like from battery to firewall then from the firewall the the seat post with straps? Thanks!!!

[jessejamesdallas]

you can ground to the seat post, floorboard, anywhere on an Unibody car

Thanks!!!!Thats what I was basically asking. Do you have to keep running straps from where your battery grounds to where you ground your amp...like from battery to firewall then from the firewall the the seat post with straps? Thanks!!!

Shouldn't have too. Generally the Firewall is a good location to ground, and sometimes the seat-belt bolts will work. In your case, I would think the seat-belt bolts would be fine, as long as the bottom side of the Jeep is welded to the rest of the body, where the battery is grounded.

Not that familiar with that antenna. But since it's factory set @ 1.5, That's like a standard setting. Just like if you buy a Predator 10K from a CB Shop, and have them do the install, and set the swr. Most CB Shops will tune the thing, till it reaches 1.5 swr, then they stop...(even though it will tune down to 1.1 or even 1.0)

This is because "Time is money" to those guys, and they wont spend as much time tuning a antenna, as you would...

[EZridaz]

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