New here and have a question...

[fletchman1957]

I recently installed a new Uniden Pro520XL and new Little Wil antenna on a Town & Country Van. I have SWR readings of CH1-1.6:1 CH20-1.0:1 Ch401.7:1
I did a radio check on CH19 and the response was that I was sounding good and throwing a good signal right about 3 miles away. But, here's what I notice inside the van, when I key up on any channel from 13-40 my TX lights all light up indicating a full TX, at least that's what I think it means. But when I transmit on channel 1 my meter only shows 1 bar lighting up. At channel 12 it lights up 3 bars until I get to channel 13 then it's full on. Should I be concerned?

 

[slowmover]

What does owner manual say?

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/PRO520XLom.pdf

Always best to use an external SWR meter to check antenna tune.

Pinched coax is a hazard with a mag mount.
Take precautions.

.

 

[fletchman1957]

What does owner manual say?

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/PRO520XLom.pdf

Always best to use an external SWR meter to check antenna tune.

Pinched coax is a hazard with a mag mount.
Take precautions.

.

Manual doesn't comment on that senario.

 

[fletchman1957]

What does owner manual say?

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/PRO520XLom.pdf

Always best to use an external SWR meter to check antenna tune.

Pinched coax is a hazard with a mag mount.
Take precautions.

.

Yes, I was using an external SWR meter

 

[prcguy]

Most internal wattmeters will give different readings into different SWR. They are supposed to be factory calibrated into a 50 ohm resistive load and your antenna is going to be different. Otherwise your antenna SWR looks real good being centered around ch 20 with nearly equal match at band edges.

 

[merlin]

Your SWR is fine, so you need to look at how you are getting power and ground to the radio.
Many newer vehicles, DONT go to the battery. In your owners manual, find an accessory power point for positive.
Find a metal frame ground, and ground the radio chasis. You can get the negative power at that same point.
Never rely on internal power/swr indicators.
Mag mounts are good for metal rooftops, but if you mount to the hood or trunk lid, use a heavy ground braid between the frame ground and hood/trunk.

 

[slowmover]

Manual doesn't comment on that senario.

Yes, it does.

RF output power is what you were citing.

Clue?

Test:

As above, try grounding radio chassis at same point in vehicle as 12V Neg. (Test that point with multimeter).

Power output vs SWR?

Re-check.
.

 

[KANE4109]

Yes, I was using an external SWR meter

I am curious, does your external SWR meter have a power meter as well? Some do and some don't I thought I would ask. If it does can you double check it with the external power meter to see if you see the same behavior?

 

[slowmover]

Your SWR is fine, so you need to look at how you are getting power and ground to the radio.
Many newer vehicles, DONT go to the battery. In your owners manual, find an accessory power point for positive.
Find a metal frame ground, and ground the radio chasis. You can get the negative power at that same point.
Never rely on internal power/swr indicators.
Mag mounts are good for metal rooftops, but if you mount to the hood or trunk lid, use a heavy ground braid between the frame ground and hood/trunk.

Plus that todays vehicles aren’t welded, but adhesive-bonded. Continuity to 12V ground is a good test from any chosen antenna location. (It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a start).

Minivans tend to be good with CB.

CB Radio Trouble Shooting Guide

A general guide for trouble shooting common CB Radio problems. Includes cross-reference chart.

www.wearecb.com

.

 

[fletchman1957]

I am curious, does your external SWR meter have a power meter as well? Some do and some don't I thought I would ask. If it does can you double check it with the external power meter to see if you see the same behavior?

Yes it has power meter too....AVG & PEP. It shows 4 watts dead key and swings to 8-10 when talking.

 

[fletchman1957]

All, I have the positive wire from the cb connected to the positive terminal on the battery. The negative wire from cb is connected to negative terminal on battery. But, my cb is mounted to plastic inside the van. Should I run a ground wire from the cb chassis to a ground also?

 

[slowmover]

Yes.

And terminate power cord Neg at same place.

 

[KANE4109]

Yes it has power meter too....AVG & PEP. It shows 4 watts dead key and swings to 8-10 when talking.

Here is the real point....

Using the external power meter.... does the power it shows going out stay up all the way across the band... or... at least better than what the INTERNAL meter shows?

In most cases... it is the "external meter" that I would trust more. If it says your power out is up good all the way across the band then my thinking is that what you are seeing is a "shortcoming" in the internal meter.

 

[KANE4109]

All, I have the positive wire from the cb connected to the positive terminal on the battery. The negative wire from cb is connected to negative terminal on battery. But, my cb is mounted to plastic inside the van. Should I run a ground wire from the cb chassis to a ground also?

Please consider (if you don't have one) finding some kind of fuse block, mounting it as close as you can get it to the battery, and run this power cord through it. Any point where that wire comes near metal could cut through the insulation and form a semi-welded short and the outcome won't be good.

https://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/fuse-and-accessories/p/bussmann-atc-fuse-holder/32415_0_0?spps.s=1455&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:ELC:19486091402&&CATARGETID=120054150001289073&CADevice=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWLu42LkEfViENvf1pgRXjOCGysw_UZJkoeHNQxqfMTJPywlrexiZrBoCU0YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds