Swr spike.

[Awz1287]

I installed my cb a couple of months ago. After installation I got my swr down to 1-1.5
I recently have been having reception and static issues. so I checked the swr yesterday and I was getting a high 3 to a low 4, on the built in meter.
I haven't changed anything, what could cause it to spike. I had been checking it, on the built in swr meter, every couple of weeks. The issues started the beginning of the week, so I'm guessing that's when it went up.
The setup is a nmo27 antenna and a bearcat 980.

 

[TheSpaceMann]

I installed my cb a couple of months ago. After installation I got my swr down to 1-1.5
I recently have been having reception and static issues. so I checked the swr yesterday and I was getting a high 3 to a low 4, on the built in meter.
I haven't changed anything, what could cause it to spike. I had been checking it, on the built in swr meter, every couple of weeks. The issues started the beginning of the week, so I'm guessing that's when it went up.
The setup is a nmo27 antenna and a bearcat 980.

Check all your connections! It could be a cable or connector issue.

 

[SCPD]

Try these steps first:

Check for continuity between the feeder jack center pin and end of the antenna element. [Should be no resistance]

Check for continuity between the feeder jack ground or antenna mount and negative battery terminal. [Should be no resistance]

Check for continuity between the antenna element and ground. [Should have complete resistance]

 

[Delta33]

Built in or internal swr meters are seldom accurate. Get a good quality swr bridge, but Not a Dosy.

 

[mmckenna]

When SWR suddenly changes after install, you'd probably be looking at either water intrusion into one of the connectors, damaged cable or a damaged/improperly installed connector.
Damaged antenna isn't out of the question, either.

What antenna are you using and how did you run your coax? Did you do the connector install, or was it pre-terminated cable?

 

[jassing]

The built in meter on the 980 is horrible. Be sure to test with a real / external swr meter & on AM only. Are you testing the swr on the same channel & same location? For instance, moving your car to a car port or closer to a building could make the swr worse.

 

[KI7HYI]

Check all your connections! It could be a cable or connector issue.

NMO mounts are well known to present this problem if the spring tension in the base load is weak. Make sure it presents a stout pressure to the NMO nub.