| Author |
Message |
    
392
Intermediate Member
Username: 392
Post Number: 168
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 07, 2012 - 8:53 pm: | 
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Guys where is the best place to put the antenna? I bought the arizonarockyroad spare tire mount and cannot get swr down, tried everything, radio squeals on ssb like not grounded. All equipment is new, 2013 Wrangler, Magnum 257 and firestick 4 footer.. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1906
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2012 - 10:47 am: |
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wheres antenna at? if its on the spare tire mount
thats usully the only option unless you have
a hard top.i know some use a mag mount on the
hood.but thats about all i know
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1638
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2012 - 9:08 am: |
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1) Are you relyng on the botls on the tire carrier for your ground connection? If so, try running a thick ground strap from the carrier to a good ground (clean metal to metal contact).
2) try using a different antenna and see if you get the same issue - problem could be the antenna.
3) Try using a mount that fits under one of the screws holding the front fender on.
4) Run a 9ft counterepoise from the ground of teh antenna, and see if this helps.
5) Look around you can find fibreglass antennas for CB that do not require a groundplane. One of these maybe your best option.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2225
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2012 - 1:10 pm: |
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On a Jeep tire mount, you don't want anything shorter than a 5 foot antenna. The Wilson 5.5 foot antenna works the best.
Yes, you see shorter antennas on Jeep spare tire mounts, but they don't work well. If all you care about is talking from one Jeep to another on a trail with less than a dozen yards between you, the short antennas work fine.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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392
Intermediate Member
Username: 392
Post Number: 169
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2012 - 8:59 pm: |
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Guys here is the mount I have
http://www.arizonarockyroad.com/antennamounts.html
its down towards the bottom, for the wrangler on the spare tire mount. I have all the tried above,changed antenna, coax, so I am thinking its the ground and the ground strap mentioned by 237 is needed.
833 I have a 4 foot firestick, I could change to the wilson but with this mount it will really be high up there, afraid it would hit everything around.
if one of you tecs could look at this mount i would appreciate an opinion....
I've been off the map for a while working, good to be back!
thanks all, 392 |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2226
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 12:54 pm: |
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I am familiar with that mount.
If you want to keep the shorter antenna, and you do not want to drill holes in your Jeep, then you'll have to accept less than optimum performance.
This is the law of physics, not negotiable.
The only thing I can suggest at this point is that you run exactly 18' of RG-58 coax. No more, no less. This will help "trick" your radio into seeing a lower SWR with the compromise antenna setup you have chosen.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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392
Intermediate Member
Username: 392
Post Number: 171
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 8:28 pm: |
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I am not against drilling holes, where is the hands down best place to mount an antenna on a jeep? It seems like others are having issues with this mount, and I need best performance!
Thanks 833 as always... |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1912
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 14, 2012 - 1:35 pm: |
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im not an expert with jeeps but id say MAYBE
on the rear quarter pannel on passenger side
using a 102 whip w/ 6 inch spring and 18 feet of rg-58 coax. as tech 833 stated. the 102 whip is the
BEST you can get for a mobile all others are a compermise.and with shorter antennas your performance will drop quickly especially if the
antenna is below the rooftop of the vehicle .which is probaly why your swr is outta wack. or just lack of good ground or both.hopefully tech 833
will chime in and can add/modify to this
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2227
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 7:07 pm: |
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I have bought a couple Jeeps. One for me, one for Mrs. 833. Before mine even had license plates and less than 40 miles on the odometer, it had a hole in the roof for an NMO mount.
Wife's Jeep received a hole in the roof within a few days of owning it.
If your Jeep doesn't have a hard top, best bet is a ball mount on the rear corner opposite side of the fuel filler. If you opt for that mount, go with the 102" whip if you want maximum performance. If you're on a trail and need better clearance, put a 5 foot fiberglass on there instead.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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392
Intermediate Member
Username: 392
Post Number: 172
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 17, 2012 - 6:47 pm: |
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Thanks Dale, and roger that 833...
I would go with roof mount, but the roof is fiberglass, no metal ground plane, must be on metal correct?
Got no prob drilling a mount for a whip, and that is what I will do.
All the best, 392 |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2229
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 7:40 pm: |
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Rgr that 392. You'll be very pleased with that setup!
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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