CB antenna tune

[JetDriver]

Just finished CB install yesterday and leaving today on a trip.  I missed my opportunity to check the SWR.  Does anybody know- can I stop at large truck stops along the way and think someone can help tune the antenna?

[solo1]

iIf you know of any ham (amateur radio)operators, most have equipment to check SWR.  It's not a big deal.

[9Ball]

You just need the right adapters to hook everything up...the truck stops might have them.  Also, if your antenna needs tuning, you have to cut small pieces off until you get the right readings.  I used a hack saw, but it goes much quicker with a dremel cut off wheel.  I don't think you could cut the antenna with diagonals cause it's pretty stout material.

[RedValk]

I'm an Engineer, an Extra class Ham....and have worked in VHF, UHF, HF world for MANY years. i have extensive background in antenna systems and transmission line theory and RF systems.

First, at HF frequencies....SWR is somewhat important....but...NOT THAT...important. Sure, with coax (verses say open wire like twin lead or ladder line...think like your OLD TV antenna systems years ago...you know, that thin brown twin lead stuff...etc.)...losses can be a bit more of a concern concern (twin lead and ladder line typically are much less lossy than coax) . But more so at HIGHER frequencies (than HF....yes, CB....11 meters, is HF). like if you were running VHF or UHF....it would be of far more concern. But for HF frequencies (3-30 Mhz)....in many cases, it's not actually that big a deal.

you'd have to crank out numbers and look at your scenario. What i'm saying in a nutshell is...if you are close....like under 2:1 VSWR....what little gain you MIGHT get by "tuning" the antenna...may or may not.....be worth the trouble. we're talking minimal differnce in many typical scenarios at HF frequencies. Now, if you had some HIGH SWR...like 3:1 or higher....maybe i'd look into it......

I'm just saying, if you check it....and it's 2:1 or better, i wouldn't worry about it.........not at HF frequencies.

[big turkey]

SWR's will only hurt your radio while sending not recieving.

So you can wait, just use it sparingly to send.

Big AL

[JetDriver]

Thanks, Big Al- that's advice I'll use until I can get it checked.  And RedValk, thanks for the info, but I guess that's where I'm at.  I have no means to measure the SWR, so I don't know if it's 1.5:1 or 3.5:1.  All I've done is bolted the radio on and run the antenna cable- I have no idea what the SWR is and was hoping for an easy way to stop along the road and have somebody check it.  Until then, I guess I'll just follow Big Al's advice and not transmit too much.  Or, I'm still looking for ideas.

[NITRO]

There's a CB shop in La Crosse, Jeff. Just get her tuned when you arrive. Looking forward to seeing you!

[JetDriver]

Thanks Nitro.  Do you by chance have their name and number?  There's another issue I'd like to talk to them about.  My other solution is to go from Columbus, OH to La Crosse via Dayton-  Not exactly what I want to do.  (As bad as my GPS is at giving directions, even it wouldn't tell me to do that!! )

[Capt. Morgan]

Well I don't know if it will be true in all cases, but with 3 different C.B's I shortened the ant by around 2" and got a reading of 1to1.
Bikes used were a 2000 I/S that I installed the CB on. The second was a 1999 I/S replacement for the 2000 that I wrecked. (I took the top part from the '00 and put in on the '99 and everything was the same) The 3rd was on a '00. 1st put my top section on to see, and again same reading, so I just cut that one to same size and everything was O.K..

[Piper]

Thanks Nitro.  Do you by chance have their name and number?  There's another issue I'd like to talk to them about.  My other solution is to go from Columbus, OH to La Crosse via Dayton-  Not exactly what I want to do.  (As bad as my GPS is at giving directions, even it wouldn't tell me to do that!! )

Be careful of the radio shops out by the major truck stops. My advice is do not let them adjust your radio in any form or fashion, just tune the antenna. Some offer a cheap peak and swing tune and end up tearing up the insides of your radio. Used to be a lot of fly-by-night radio hackers out there. If you have the time there are listings of good vs not-good radio shops on the internet.
RedValk gave sound advice.
I addressed the situation by picking up a no-ground-plane FireStik antenna. While not the best performer it will do for the bike. I mostly use the CB to listen anyway. Too many ratchet-jaw jokers on 27.185.
You also might try to contact the local Ham club. MOST hams I know are pretty friendly and would probably assist you gratis.
I am also a ham but only a lowly Tech. I run 11  and 2 meter in my little truck. KE5CQI
73

[Chattanooga Mark]

A few questions;

Does the am/fm radio antenna also need to be tuned for better reception?

What's the instrument and process of tuning the CB antenna?

What CB channel do you monitor on your Valkyrie?

Thank You,

Mark

[Capt. Morgan]

A few questions;

Does the am/fm radio antenna also need to be tuned for better reception?

What's the instrument and process of tuning the CB antenna?

What CB channel do you monitor on your Valkyrie?

Thank You,

Mark

No the radio ant needs no adjustment.
The instrument is called a SWR (standing wave ratio) meter. 
Normally you check channels 1,7,23,40 and adjust the ant up/down to get the lowest reading. sometimes requires cutting the ant.
Different areas use different channels, normally 1 or 5 and 19 to listen to truck drivers on the road.

[NITRO]

Thanks Nitro.  Do you by chance have their name and number?  There's another issue I'd like to talk to them about.  My other solution is to go from Columbus, OH to La Crosse via Dayton-  Not exactly what I want to do.  (As bad as my GPS is at giving directions, even it wouldn't tell me to do that!! )

I do not, but MP probably does, he's the one that told me about it.

[Chattanooga Mark]

That's perfect, thank you Capt.

Mark