102" Whip on Balcony Rail....

[Choirboy]

Well, after having my radio checked out (both RX and TX) and replacing both the power supply (got a 7 Amp) and the antenna coax with no improvement, I gave up on the Double Bazooka.

I picked up a Radio Shack 102" whip and mounted it on my balcony railing after grinding off the paint where the bracket sits....

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Then, I hammered a 2' piece of 3/8" rebar into the ground two floors below and ran a 12 gauge ground wire from the railing....

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I ran 50' of RG-58/U from the antenna to the radio. All of this is for naught, it seems.

The radio no longer hums when I key the mike, but the meter light still dims and the SWRs are around 4:1. I seem to hear more than I did before, but TX is currently out of the question....

Can anyone help me get this base station up and running, or should I just fling myself from the balcony onto the ground stake and be done with it.... ?

Thanks y'all!

[BigBopper]

Get a Saturn antenna, 3 ft tall, no ground needed,,,Sparky's sells them along with other sponsors,,,not the best antenna, but it works and is small

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[Phaze91460]

that 102 whip is suposed to have a 6 inch spring on it which brings it to 108. It is designed for a mobile application not a base. The railing you are using is not a good ground plane for an antenna.

Get a base designed antenna like an A-99 ( 18') or look for a base antenna that is shorter but still a base antenna.

As for the light on the meter dimming, how much power does your power supply have ? amps ? what gauge wiring are you using ?

[Choirboy]

My power supply is a 7 amp unit plugged directly into the wall and I'm using the standard fused power cord that came with the radio connected to the screw terminals on the power supply. I had a 4.5 amp unit but upgraded to the 7 amp one.

The 102" will go back to the Shack, but I don't think I'd get away with an A-99 or an Imax here! I'll probably get a Saturn from Sparky's like BigBopper suggested....

[Godzirra]

I find it odd he is having high swr with different antennas! Are u checking this with any other meter than whats on your radio?

Just weird! That and i reall wanted to see the dipole work for ya!

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

My power supply is a 7 amp unit plugged directly into the wall and I'm using the standard fused power cord that came with the radio connected to the screw terminals on the power supply. I had a 4.5 amp unit but upgraded to the 7 amp one.

The 102" will go back to the Shack, but I don't think I'd get away with an A-99 or an Imax here! I'll probably get a Saturn from Sparky's like BigBopper suggested....

Yep, I'm with BigBopper on this one. That Saturn will probably be much more forgiving than the 102" whip.

That hand rail is freaking out its ground plane...noble attempt though. I tried experimenting with a normally good Wilson 1000, in a similar situation with very poor results.

Skip jumping off though, gravity really sucks.

[Choirboy]

The 102" just gave me high SWRs, that's all. The Bazooka caused the radio to hum loudly, the meter needle to slam, and my bedside touch-base lamp to turn on and off. Using an external meter at this point would be like laser surgery on an elephant.

I finally heard back from Rochelle at Radiowavz, and they are sending me a thoroughly checked-out replacement Bazooka. She promised me that they would help me troubleshoot and get the thing working right. I'd rather just get my money back and buy a Saturn, but I figure I'll give them a chance.

We shall see....

Thanks!

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

If that antenna is dependent on a flat, horizontal ground plane, there may still be trouble.
I'm not all that good with base antenna installations though. Be careful not to burn your radio with high SWR's.

I just looked at some info on the double bazooka in the internet. Do they know what frequency band you are using this antenna with? The stuff I saw is for high frequency HAM radio, not necessarily CB.

[Godzirra]

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one of those two he is using not shure which one is rated for more watts!

[Choirboy]

I got the 1,600 watt CB version. SmallTruck, I share your concern about the Saturn, but I've every reason to believe every word that comes out of BigBopper's keyboard.

I've been careful to key up for only a fraction of a second at a time, so the radio should be OK.

BTW, I got the Filipino 148GTL off a guy on Craigslist for $40, including a RK56 and external speaker. A similar radio (albeit looks a bit nicer and came with the box) recently went for nearly $150 on eBay....

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Craigslist Rocks!

[Choirboy]

P. S. - I also found my Cobra 29 NW ST WX BS, etc. (nearly new, works great with a tune) on Craigslist for $50.

Check it out, gentlemen....

[Phaze91460]

My power supply is a 7 amp unit plugged directly into the wall and I'm using the standard fused power cord that came with the radio connected to the screw terminals on the power supply. I had a 4.5 amp unit but upgraded to the 7 amp one.

Still a lot of factors to consider but a 7 amp peak power supply might not be enough. The flicker or dimming of the lights could be a sign of not enough power.

Do you know anyone with a more powerful power supply you can use for testing ?

As for the hight issue with an antenna. There is a base antenna made like that A-99 but smaller. It may be a Maco, I just dont remember. If you could mount a almost 9 foot tall stainless steel whip on top of the rail I would think you could get a 12 footer mounted to the lower part of the railing to work.

[Choirboy]

I thought the power supply might be the problem, so I went out and got a 25 Amp unit and plugged it into a wall socket in another room using an extension cord. No improvement.

Could the problem be where the radio is mounted with all the computer stuff around?

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[Rex_foxhound]

Have you had the radio checked out choirboy? If the lights and stuff are dimming even with a bigger power supply, I would say that you need to get the radio checked and see what is going on with that.

[rayray1963]

Rex_foxhound Wrote

Have you had the radio checked out choirboy? If the lights and stuff are dimming even with a bigger power supply, I would say that you need to get the radio checked and see what is going on with that.

I think he said he had it checked out but I'm with you, Something doesn't sound right, Choirboy did a local shop check it for you? I trying to think of good shop in the austin area.

Just a thought but can you swap radios around, your mobile in the house and/or vise versa. Maybe then you can tell if it the radio or something else. Don't give up! sounds like your doing everything right, just might be something small thats been over looked.

[HI-TECH]

try a car batery if you can if it still dose it its the radio.... how close is your awning to the antenna? you might be gitting some pritty bad reflect off it. in that case wouldnt work with any antenna even the saturn no ground. try and get your antenna as high as possable.. sneak up on your roof and mount it @ the peak and run some copper (rymes with opper) wire... remeber 234/freq gets you the lenth of what you need in 1/4 wave. anything close to the antenna will hurt it even if its not metal.

[oknaz]

This is my base set up from yr's ago ....Antron 99 on top of a 30ft tall apt complex . 1 10ft pole and 1 20ft pole U-Bolted together then ran a copper ground wire down to a 5ft copper ground rod and it had 1.0 flat swr . Bare Foot 4 watt's skip shoot to almost every state . Still wished i had that set up ended up selling it for $50.00 .

Anyway those steel rail's are bolted to wood . I would try putting up a antron on a 5ft pole bolted to the railing then run a copper ground to the floor level and try to find the electric box that has the ground rod already there and bolt to that or use a hose clamp .

[Choirboy]

Thanks for all your input, guys!

I tried swapping out radios on Friday evening and had the same problem with both of them.

I've been going to CB Connection in Jarrell, TX, and I did have both of my Cobras checked out on Saturday. The owner is very helpful, and always invites his customers behind the counter to his bench and explains what he is doing.

I also ran a ground wire from the balcony railing to a ground stake, but the apartment management saw the 102" whip and told me to take it down , so it's going back to Radio Shack.

BUT .... I live on the top floor and have access to the attic above my apartment, and the roof above is a standard peaked wooden one. Unfortunately, Radiowavz is sending me a new "thoroughly checked out" Double Bazooka instead of refunding my money. If they can't help me to get it working, then I'll try the Saturn.

I'm gonna try moving the radio to a different room next....

[Ashton]

Dont be so quick to write off the Bazooka its a really good antenna I did mine in a upside down w shape and it works great! You should invest in a meter from radioshack, the onboard meters are never really that accurate.

Thanks for all your input, guys!











I tried swapping out radios on Friday evening and had the same problem with both of them.

I've been going to CB Connection in Jarrell, TX, and I did have both of my Cobras checked out on Saturday. The owner is very helpful, and always invites his customers behind the counter to his bench and explains what he is doing.

I also ran a ground wire from the balcony railing to a ground stake, but the apartment management saw the 102" whip and told me to take it down , so it's going back to Radio Shack.

BUT .... I live on the top floor and have access to the attic above my apartment, and the roof above is a standard peaked wooden one. Unfortunately, Radiowavz is sending me a new "thoroughly checked out" Double Bazooka instead of refunding my money. If they can't help me to get it working, then I'll try the Saturn.

I'm gonna try moving the radio to a different room next....

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

I thought the power supply might be the problem, so I went out and got a 25 Amp unit and plugged it into a wall socket in another room using an extension cord. No improvement.

Could the problem be where the radio is mounted with all the computer stuff around?

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Choirboy,
That is a very impressive setup! Is it for sale?

High SWR's will definately freak out the stuff in your house (voice of experience) I used a similar radio, that works very well in a car or truck with Wilson Mag mount antennas with low SWR.
Then the same radio and the same antenna mounted at several different places in and around the house, really freaked out the electronics in the house, dimmed the lights on the radio, and I couldn't shake the High SWR problem.

Are you able to try the radio with an antenna in a vehicle, to make sure it works OK there?
Impressive purchase by the way!

Your antenna being properly mounted is the key (big subject - do your homework), and trying to keep your coax as far as possible from, and perpindicular to, other wiring will be helpful.

Bottom line, is that if your antenna SWR, is less than near perfection, the reflected Transmit RF is literally "bombarding" everything around the radio, and it's coax.

Sounds like you will be trying the bazooka. Think "antenna theory" and share mounting, angle, type of building, shape of building...etc with us, and the antenna dealer, to learn the best way to mount that antenna. All this will not be possible without a semi decent SWR meter. I understand that the ones from Radio Shack are hard to beat for the price you pay.

The "no ground plane antennas" will probably be the most forgiving, as long as they are not "firing" back into the home. Up high and away, is a good direction for an antenna.

What mounting surfaces are available?
If you are in a tall building, you might have a little luck with mounting the whip type antennas horontally, or even at a 45 deg angel. in the hopes that the side of the building will act as the ground plane.
High and vertical is what you should try for though.

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Can you do pictures of your apartment so we can help with ideas?

I wonder if the bazooka would work, if hung inside the attic?

It will probably "blast" everyones electronics from there....

[Choirboy]

When I went to the CB shop on Saturday, they put a meter on both Cobras in the car (with the Wilson 5000) and got nearly flat SWRs. Upstairs at home, though, they both show high SWRs with both the Double Bazooka and the 102" whip (BTW, there IS a 6" spring on the 102"). RX seems OK, though.

I tried moving the radio and power supply into the living room away from computer interference, but no improvement with either the DB stretched out straight on the floor or mounted horizontally on the wall above the theatre screen or the 102" on the balcony....

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I've tried mounting the DB on both walls in the bedroom visible in the photo below, both horizontally and in an inverted V configuration....

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The attic is the next possibility, but I don't want to climb up there to mount an antenna until I have these other problems worked out....

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I also considered the possibility that the SWR meters in my radios are all screwed up, but I'm not getting out at all - NOBODY can hear me....

Thanks, SmallTruck, for your info. Surely you jest about purchasing my puny little rig ....

Ashton, I haven't given up yet!

I'll be back

[oknaz]

Maybe to much Electrical interference from the wiring inside the wall's just my .02

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

When I went to the CB shop on Saturday, they put a meter on both Cobras in the car (with the Wilson 5000) and got nearly flat SWRs. Upstairs at home, though, they both show high SWRs with both the Double Bazooka and the 102" whip (BTW, there IS a 6" spring on the 102"). RX seems OK, though.

I tried moving the radio and power supply into the living room away from computer interference, but no improvement with either the DB stretched out straight on the floor or mounted horizontally on the wall above the theatre screen or the 102" on the balcony....

I've tried mounting the DB on both walls in the bedroom visible in the photo below, both horizontally and in an inverted V configuration....

The attic is the next possibility, but I don't want to climb up there to mount an antenna until I have these other problems worked out....

I also considered the possibility that the SWR meters in my radios are all screwed up, but I'm not getting out at all - NOBODY can hear me....

Thanks, SmallTruck, for your info. Surely you jest about purchasing my puny little rig ....

Ashton, I haven't given up yet!

I'll be back

When I went to the CB shop on Saturday, they put a meter on both Cobras in the car (with the Wilson 5000) and got nearly flat SWRs. Upstairs at home, though, they both show high SWRs with both the Double Bazooka and the 102" whip (BTW, there IS a 6" spring on the 102"). RX seems OK, though.

Awesome! your half way there...but this is the tough half...


I tried moving the radio and power supply into the living room away from computer interference, but no improvement ...
I've tried mounting the DB on both walls in the bedroom visible in the photo below, both horizontally and in an inverted V configuration....

We need to get your an antenna outdoors...
The attic is the next possibility, but I don't want to climb up there to mount an antenna until I have these other problems worked out....

I think that antenna mounting is the problem to be worked out, and not the thing to choose after the problems are worked out...I know it's frustrating but let's keep working to get you a decent solution.

I also considered the possibility that the SWR meters in my radios are all screwed up, but I'm not getting out at all - NOBODY can hear me....

The onboard SWR meters are a reasonable reference for now. Work toward getting a Radio Shack external SWR / power meter though. You'll be glad you did. If you do regret it, return it, or sell it to me.

Hearing is easy, you can hear with a coat hanger. Transmitting requires near perfection. It requires that your antenna becomes an efficient resonator...but antenna theory is covered elsewhere in this forum, and the internet. Low or flat SWR's means that you have built a perfect RF (radio frequency) resonator. That doesn't happen by accident...

Thanks, SmallTruck, for your info. Surely you jest about purchasing my puny little rig
What caught my attention was the cleanly mounted radio, and the joystick... flight sims?
....

Also, I should have specified better on the pictures. I meant pictures of the outside of your place. I am thinking that we might be able to come up with some antenna options for you if we can see the outside of your place. Perhaps the Bazooka outdoors, strapped between the building and a tree will be invisible enough to not upset the landlord?

I am quite sure that antennas on the inside are out of the question, and an antenna in the attic is a last option that only has a 10% chance of working at all, and a < 1% chance of working well. (only slightly better than nothing at all, but still better than nothing)

If there are others living in your building, and we don't get your antenna set up properly, your next problem will be complaints of RF interferance.

Let's work on a couple more ideas, and we may end up having to do a small "no ground plane" antenna, but with the landlords permission, and possibly a "landlord payoff".

I will be notified via email as posts get made to this thread. I am working night shift, and will only be able to get to the computer between Noon, and 4PM EDT.

I am not an antenna expert, but I have screwed up enough, to learn several things that don't work.

[SmallTruckBigRadio]

Whew, that reply got ugly...I tried to get too fancy, and now I can't edit it anymore.

I'll ask a moderator to clean it up.

Hopefully you can still see what I am trying to say.