Connex 4600 Turbo SWR

[watchmanstan]

Ok heres the deal, finally took the leap & got me a SWP Connex turbo. It dead keys 55 w & will swing to 200. I Wired it up straight to battery ran new high dollar coax & have a Wilson 5000 mounted on the top rear of my grounded truck toolbox. When I started off with the radio set at max output it would peg SWR with the 62" whip inserted 1" into base as the Wilson instructions state. I ended up trimming about 4-5" off the whip a quarter of an inch at a time (whew) until I got SWR's bottomed out at about 1.5. I still don't seem to be getting out like I thought I would. To really make this radio romp should I
a. remount antenna on roof of truck, b. get a 102 whip, c. hook up my palomar 150, d. install the new 62'' whip I have & start over.

[watchmanstan]

Ok heres the deal, finally took the leap & got me a SWP Connex turbo. It dead keys 55 w & will swing to 200. I Wired it up straight to battery ran new high dollar coax & have a Wilson 5000 mounted on the top rear of my grounded truck toolbox. When I started off with the radio set at max output it would peg SWR with the 62" whip inserted 1" into base as the Wilson instructions state. I ended up trimming about 4-5" off the whip a quarter of an inch at a time (whew) until I got SWR's bottomed out at about 1.5. I still don't seem to be getting out like I thought I would. To really make this radio romp should I
a. remount antenna on roof of truck, b. get a 102 whip, c. hook up my palomar 150, d. install the new 62'' whip I have & start over.

Sorry, BTW I used my old Galaxy to initially set up SWR

[Shaft]

That's good that you didn't use your Connex for setting your SWR. However, 1.5 is still a little high SWR for running a radio of that type. It is possible you have damaged it. Do you have a power meter? I would try that. I would also try an antenna that you know has good SWR.

[watchmanstan]

I have only "radio checked" it a few times. I have a Bird 43 and it looks good forward but has about 5 watts coming back @ dead key

[Shaft]

Give RA a call. You might have to send it in.

[Road]

I have a SWP 4600 Turbo, and that thing blows smoke, nothing but good reports, have no problems talking 10 -15 miles anytime. I am running a Wilson silver load (fiberglass) antenna. I had no problems getting the SWR's low.

You may want to try to put the antenna in a different location, have the doors closed and get in a open place.

I wouldn't put that small amp behind it you will blow it with the power that the turbo is putting out.

Good luck.

Road (667)

GAL 2:20

[BigC]

Is the coil of the Wilson above the roof line of your pick up truck? I ask because if it is not, you may be getting some reflection back causing the higher then normal SWR readings

[watchmanstan]

Thats one of my areas of concern. The Wilson coil is about 2 feet lower than the top of the cab. It is mounted on my truck bed tool box. I am thinking about getting a mag mount to test to see how much of a difference it will make up on the roof.

[BigC]

I would try getting a mag mount and putting it up on the roof of your truck and then checking SWRs. If you want to keep the antenna in the location it is in, you might consider a trucker style 5000, as these are a mid coil antenna, this might give you enough height up over the cab of the truck. I am not sure, but you may be able to get a shaft for the 5000 coil that you already have and get it up over the cab roof line and not have to buy a new antenna

[watchmanstan]

Ordered me a Wilson magmount from Clay this morning. Put my Galaxy 959 back in for the time being since it has SWR matching circuitry.
Thanks guys for all your help.

[BigC]

Let us know how the mag mount works, i am curious

[watchmanstan]

UPS dropped off my magmount today (thanks Clay, excellent service). It was the mount only so I stuck it to the roof & screwed in the old load & whip. A check of SWR showed I was short so I dug out my new spare whip & ended up having to cut off about an 1 1/4" . Long story short, lowest SWR before with Wilson 5000 mounted on truck box 1.8. Lowest SWR with mag mount Wilson 5000 1.1 . I will do permanent install of Connex tomorrow. Looks like it made a big difference.

[BigC]

Glad to hear that you got it figured out, i too had to cut about an inch an a quarter off my whip with the 5000 mag mount to get the SWR where i wanted it.