But where should I start?
Randon SWR Troubles
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The Tech
Randon SWR Troubles
Okay, so here's what I've got. I've got a Cobra29LTD Classic with a Lil Wil magmount (and it's included coax). I stuck the magmount on the roof of my car and ran in inside the car and up ontop of the dash where the radio is mounted. Using the built-in SWR meter, I trimmed about a 1/4 inch off the antenna and had SWR at 1.5 or below on both channels 1 and 40. This was the case for about two weeks. Then, out of nowhere...I tried to key up tonight on my way to the grocery store and noticed that I wasn't getting anywhere...nor was I getting any receive (much, that is). THEN I notice that when I key up, the red antenna problem light comes on. Then I switch over to read the SWR and it pegs out! So I check the calibration on the built-in meter and try to adjust it back to where it was. Nothing I seem to do gets the SWR down. Everytime I key up, the SWR is pegged out and the red light comes on. Nothing has changed in my setup, I didn't even touch anything. And I live out in the middle of nowhere, there wouldn't be anyone around to mess with my antenna. What should I start checking? Could it be the grounding wire of the radio itself? I have it spliced into the cigarette lighter presently. If something come loose there...could that cause this? Or is it strictly in the coax or antenna? I'm a complete newb...and now a scared newb. I'm definately going to invest in a radio shack swr meter I guess. I planned on doing that before getting my new swp stryker anyway...
But where should I start?
But where should I start?
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Little Reb
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The Tech
I guess I'll go to RadioShack tomorrow and find a cheap SWR meter. Is there any reason why I should get a more expensive SWR meter? I especially want to know everything is okay before I get my new radio. Which reminds me...I don't think the Stryker has an antenna problem light. What would be the best way to keep an eye out for issues when the radio doesn't have an idication light for problems?
Once I get an SWR meter, I guess I'll look at the power connection for the radio and the coax connection on the back of the radio. The coax looks to be built into the bottom of the magmount lil wil. Could something have happened inside the magmount, possibly?
:88-help:
Once I get an SWR meter, I guess I'll look at the power connection for the radio and the coax connection on the back of the radio. The coax looks to be built into the bottom of the magmount lil wil. Could something have happened inside the magmount, possibly?
:88-help:
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Little Reb
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The Tech
This is the darndest thing...
So I just went out and sat in the car and fired up the radio. The SWR is back to what it's been since I put it in. And this was before I touched anything! Everything is back to normal, but that doesn't make any sense. What could have randomly caused spiked SWR and then go back to normal? Now I'm REALY confused. :shocked:
So I just went out and sat in the car and fired up the radio. The SWR is back to what it's been since I put it in. And this was before I touched anything! Everything is back to normal, but that doesn't make any sense. What could have randomly caused spiked SWR and then go back to normal? Now I'm REALY confused. :shocked:
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Rex_foxhound
