Why is my CB SWR so high?
Why is my CB SWR so high?
The most common cause of a high SWR is an antenna shorted to ground. There are two places a short can occur in a CB antenna system, in the coax and in the antenna stud.
How high is too high SWR?
For instance a SWR too high (over 3:1) all over the band can be an indication of a bad part or junction, poor ground or poor location. An SWR too low over the whole band (1:1 for all 40 channels) can indicate a low efficiency antenna or lossy component. Safe operation of your CB should be with an SWR of 2:1 or less.
What is a good SWR for a CB radio?
SWR 1.0-1.5
SWR 1.0-1.5: The ideal range! If your SWR is under 1.5, you’re in great shape. If you’re at 1.5 and really, really want to drop down to closer to 1 it’s likely possible to do with addition tuning, different equipment or a different mounting location.
What if SWR is higher at 40?
If the SWR on channel 1 is higher than that on channel 40, your antenna is too short.
- If your antenna is too long, it is necessary to reduce its physical length.
- If your antenna is too short, it is necessary to increase its physical length.
Can a pinched coax cause high SWR?
Damaged coaxial cable is a big reason behind high SWR readings. A coax can get twisted, shorted, or pinched while routing through the vehicle. It might come damaged when buying from the market. Hence it is essential to check your coax cable thoroughly before purchasing.
What does an SWR reading of 4 1 indicate?
What does an SWR reading of 4:1 indicate? Loss of -4 dB.
How can I make my CB radio more powerful?
There are several procedures for ensuring maximum output.
- TUNE THE RADIO. A CB radio is only as good as the coax and antenna connected to it.
- USE CB-SPECIFIC ANTENNAS.
- ESTABLISH A GROUND PLANE.
- CHECK THE VSWR.
- ELIMINATE RESISTANCE.
Does SWR affect reception?
Simplified answer: There is no relationship between SWR and receive performance. There is one condition for this simplification to be true: the received RF noise floor must be above your receiver’s noise floor.
Does coax length affect SWR?
Coaxial Cable Length Does Not Change Antenna SWR.
How do you lower the SWR on a dipole antenna?
To raise the frequency of minimum SWR, trim the antenna shorter. Cut each of the dipole’s segments by equal amounts so that the two halves maintain equivalent lengths. If the minimum SWR is minimized at a higher frequency than desired, you must lengthen the wire segments.
Does coax length matter for CB?
We recommend 18 feet of coax even if you don’t need that much. If you use a length that is shorter or longer, you might risk having trouble achieving good SWR readings. Properly store any excess coax in a figure 8, about one foot in length, and bound in the middle- it should look like a long, skinny 8.
Does high SWR affect receive?
Do dual CB antennas work better?
With antennas on both sides of your vehicle, you’re much less likely to have large dead spots because the antenna system can “see” more. This is one of the primary reasons most 18 wheelers have dual antenna setups.
Does antenna length affect SWR?
Does a CB antenna mount need to be grounded?
Ground Your Antenna Mount If you’re using a standard CB antenna (i.e., anything except a no ground plane, or NGP, kit), you’ll need to make sure your antenna mount is solidly grounded to the vehicle’s chassis. A bad ground will result in an un-tunable antenna and sky-high SWR levels.
How long should my CB coax be?
How high should a dipole be off the ground?
For best results, dipoles should be at least 1/2 wavelength above ground level. For the lower bands, especially 160-40 meters, this can become impractical–place your dipole as high as your situation allows.
Does feed line length affect SWR?
If you have a perfect 1:1 SWR match at your antenna, the length doesn’t affect tuning. If there is any mismatch at the antenna (not 1:1 SWR), the feedline length does affect tuning. The effect is most pronounced at or near a quarter wavelength of feedline.
