Cannot get antenna to tune

[Citka]

Hello,

I recently purchased a Radioddity CS-47, a Firestick FS-3 3' antenna, the Firestik K4-8R9 with Fire-Ring cable (9 ft), a Marketty ss-3H Antenna spring and a hood mount.

After getting everything installed, I went to tune the setup and am having difficulty. The SWR for both Ch. 1 and Ch. 40 are identical at about 3.5. Adjusting the tuning screw on the top of the Firestick has no impact on the SWR reading at all. I've run the screw all the way in as well as all the way out. No change.

I'm not sure what could be causing this. Can someone point me in the right direction to try and solve?

Thank you.

 

[lamarrsy]

Could it be that the antenna is not made to accept an extra spring you installed, thus lenghtening the antenna rod much too long for the CB band ?
This would mean that whichever tuning you try on the antenna itself can’t help at all, as it is maybe 6in. too long..

… just a thought.. 😉

Anyway keep us informed of your troubleshooting !

 

[n7lrg]

Hood mount.....you may not be getting ground. Install some star washers so they can bite through the paint.

 

[n7lrg]

I also suggest as above the spring may be adding length to the antenna. Test without it to see if there is a difference.

 

[slowmover]

Post in thread 'HELP'
HELP

Links to troubleshoot guides

 

[Citka]

I'm suspecting it was a grounding issue. Thank you for the advice. It's better...but not ideal. I've got an SWR on 1 and 40 of about 1.9 - 2.0. Now I need to see how I can get that down. It's as low as I was able to get it.

 

[HPTQRPM]

Check the SWR on CH 19 or 20 too. Also, you might need a ground strap from the hood to the body, rather than relying on the hinges.

 

[slowmover]

Check the SWR on CH 19 or 20 too. Also, you might need a ground strap from the hood to the body, rather than relying on the hinges.

FWIW, I automatically create an RF Bond to jump hinges. All of them.


I also find it useful to distinguish things by speaking of RF Bond or DC Ground as they aren’t the same thing either in practice or in construction. Helps cut confusion.

.