Swr's

[renegade6811]

Ok guys I posted this under an old thread but I bought a meter ASTATIC PDC2 SWR / RF / FIELD and with it I'm seeing swr's of 2 but with the bearcat 980 my swr's are 1.18, which one would you believe? I'm at a loss but I'm going to try and adjust some more tomorrow afternoon.

[MDYoungblood]

You can check the meter by using a 50ohm dummy load. It's possible the meter is wrong, out of adjustment, age does that to electronics, the SWR meter in the radio is probably closer to right. When using the radio's meter, remove the jumper and SWR meter and see what the reading is. Take the reading on channel 1, 19, and 40. Channel 19 should be the lowest reading with 1 and 40 being slightly higher and close to the same reading.

3's

Greg

[renegade6811]

Think I got it finally and yes duals are a pita lol. My swr's with dual firestik 5' antennas with heavy duty springs is a flat 1.05 on channels 1,20 and 40. I had to run the springs to get where I'm at doesn't make sense to me with 5' antennas. But I'm happy now getting good reports and waiting for skip. Thanks for all the help.

[MDYoungblood]

Think I got it finally and yes duals are a pita lol. My swr's with dual firestik 5' antennas with heavy duty springs is a flat 1.05 on channels 1,20 and 40. I had to run the springs to get where I'm at doesn't make sense to me with 5' antennas. But I'm happy now getting good reports and waiting for skip. Thanks for all the help.

Two questions, did you try it without the springs to see what the SWR was and how long are those springs?

3's

Greg

[renegade6811]

I did try it with out the springs swr's on channel 1 was 1.8 with the tips screwed all the way out and 1.2 on channel 40. With the 3 inch springs and tips screwed back in channel 1,20 and 40 is 1.05 swr. I guess I could spend the extra time and screw them out a half turn and get it down to a flat 1.00 swr.

[MDYoungblood]

There is no need to mess with them any longer, what you have is excellent, anything under 1.5:1 SWR for a dual antenna setup is great.

3's

Greg

[renegade6811]

I just can't believe that even 5' antennas were too short and needed a 3 inch spring I just hope the don't lay back horizontal running 80 down the highway lol.

[MDYoungblood]

You could get risers instead of the spring, there is even long nuts will work. Personally I hate spring just for that reason and the tiny wire they use to bond the ends, saw one arc and melt with only 500w output.

3's

Greg

[renegade6811]

Yeah I'll pry have to look at them risers, I know if I hit 40 mph winds with them right now they'll pry drag the ground lol.

[renegade6811]

Well just an update I haven't been able to make any contacts. And running 80 with a headwind the antennas we're almost horizontal . So I ordered the sirio turbo 5000 mag mount and going to ditch the duals and just run the sirio and hopefully start making some contacts.

[ Post made via Android ]

[jessejamesdallas]

Well just an update I haven't been able to make any contacts. And running 80 with a headwind the antennas we're almost horizontal . So I ordered the sirio turbo 5000 mag mount and going to ditch the duals and just run the sirio and hopefully start making some contacts.

[ Post made via Android ]

Sirio 5000 mag mount will probably do better than the dual set-up you had before...But don't expect any DX contacts running just a Uniden 980 in a mobile set-up...unless you also have a amp inline...not saying it's impossible, just unlikely...least on AM...might have better luck on SSB tho.

[renegade6811]

I do have the kl203p amp. But I figured with my work van I can also move the sirio over to it also since I'm in it 5 day a week and sometimes an average of 600 miles per week lol.

[ Post made via Android ]

[DevilDog66]

That is the exact set up I have a 980 with kl203p with a Sirio Fighter Edition 5000 & magmount on top. I've had the car up to 80 and it has had no issues at all, great 5 inch magnet Sirio has produced for its antennas, very good quality. I don't think you'll have any problems with it. My swr's right out the box were 1.1 pretty much all the way around the 11 meter band.

[renegade6811]

Thanks devildog66, I hope it will work out great. Right now I'm running a Wilson teardrop with a 4' firestick and it's pretty disappointing. So hopefully with the new antenna I'll be able to reach out and touch somebody.

[ Post made via Android ]