Tuning my Firestick CB Antenna with an SWR Meter - HOWTO - Jeep Wrangler

[@jasonfish4546]

Thank you! Very quick and easy tuning guide. Thank you! I just ordered a SWR meter

[@nimrod7772]

Got the 'old' type firestik you cut to match. Had it 38 years never cut it works as good today as it always did

[@richkrieg1842]

Hey, thanks CPO. 'Very informative video. I just installed my CB, and am ready for final testing. This is just what I needed to go to the next step. Happy trails.

[@dangerdoberman]

OH test with the cap ON. That helps. Haha. I'm still at 1.1 @ channel 01 and 1.2 @channel 04 with my 4' firestik connected to my Midland 1001LWX with the firestik firering cable. Much obliged!

[@robertvance1873]

I was thinking about buying a cobra radio just like that, but I can't find very many reviews about it's reliability

[@doc559]

At the opening, you said,I checked my antenna and it's grounded". I thought, that's not gonna work, as the antenna mount had to be grounded, and the antenna must be isolated. But, that wasn't the case. I'm not sure why the cap must be on the antenna after adjusting and rechecking the SWR, but it's true. I love my Firestik antennas. Thanks for posting the video 👍

[@o3djeeps]

Yeah... semantics. Make sure the antenna assembly is properly grounded, lol. I'm actually not even using an antenna mount in the traditional sense... as my antenna is stabbed right though my bumper. But yes... it's the ground side of the fire ring that is grounded to the bottom of the bumper. :-) To be fair tho, my last antenna actually had a separate ground wire coming off the antenna mast.... so again... technicalities. As far as the cap... The vinyl cap adds capacitance which lowers the antenna's resonant frequency. That is why installing the cap changes the antenna's tune. Firestick actually mentions the need to test with the cap on in their instructions. Beats me why this is true...but it is. Prob for the same reason you are technically supposed to get inside the vehicle and shut all the doors and roll up the window to SWR test.... all of that changes things. Thanks for the comment!

[@TheJake3]

Great explanation on the video, only the reflection is making things a bit difficult to understand. You should consider making another video without the reflection.

[@justcasey3678]

FWD= forward REF= reflect

[@demisx]

Nice and simple. Lovely!

[@steve_niceguy]

I have a lot of friends with jeeps and I know there just isn't a good place to put a CB antenna ... people put them behind the spare tire and the antenna is next to the body of the jeep and the tip of the antenna doesn't even clear the roof line!!!... what a joke!... so far I've seen nothing that would work..... then I came across your video... GREAT spot to mount it... how's it work for you? any idea of the range?

[@humankind7355]

Fantastically simple and easy for a newbie, thank you for the tips.

[@cipher951]

Simple and informative video. Great job! Thanks for taking the time to record and post!

[@talezfromthedashcam3138]

SWR stands for Standing Wave Ratio it's about the amount of power RF back onto the finals (i.e. power transistors) If the ratio is as above 1.3 o 1 you bout burn out the back end.

[@anicetopontillas8121]

I just have the meter and how do you check/test the Cobra 75 wx st to the fire stick. the cb radio plugs does not match up to the meter hookup.

[@jerkydoo]

Im having the same issue. Did you ever figure this out?

[@anicetopontillas8121]

@@jerkydoo here in Vegas there's a guy that works with cars and they setup my firestorm for about $5.00

[@Muffin192213]

in regards to the Firestick which way do you turn the tip clockwise or counter? thanks.

[@thomaslahr9022]

Hey CPO, I enjoy your content. Vaguely recall from another vid that you had your cb antenna mounted on the cowl. Now I see it is on the bumper. Why did you switch? I Am contemplating the same locations. Really dont want to drill the bumper and think would be distracting since it would be right in your field of vision. Thanks in advance for your help!

[@jeremiahlujan4904]

What about a reading of 2 on both channels ?

[@JARyding]

ref is reflected, not reference The cap i snon-conductive so it won't have any affect on the antenna swr

[@o3djeeps]

FireStik says different on both points you make. *All measurements should be taken with antenna tip on, unless you do not plan to use the tip in normal use. (You must test SWR with the cap fully seat because it will change the SWR reading. ) * there will be at least one switch with the marking Forward (FWD) in one position and Reference (REF or SWR) in the other. Http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm

[@PNWJEEPER01]

@@o3djeeps Actually WWOH is mostly right. Standing Wave Ratio is the first reading you're taking (the ratio of the maximum radio-frequency voltage to the minimum radio-frequency voltage along the line). The second reading is Reflected Power % (the amount of output voltage reflected back from the antenna to the finals in the output section of the transceiver at the output frequency being tested- also referred to as VSWR). As far as the cap goes: it's probably not conductive; but, depending on the type of plastic or rubber it's made from, it could be a minor source of static interference and SWR tests should be performed with it on if that's how the antenna will be used. Don't believe everything you read in marketing literature. Do believe everything you read in the ARRL manual.

[@ervinconn6495]

Sky reflects on meter

[@WayywayyH]

I thought it was better to do this in a big open field? Or is it okay to just do this wherever?

[@mikes9260]

I had heard doing it in an open area is best. But, I'm wondering if that means stay away from built up urban areas with lots of tall buildings and dense housing, etc. Looks like Casa De CPO is in a semi rural area so there may not be too much interference with tuning even in his driveway.

[@o3djeeps]

And you will notice that I moved the Jeep away from the house/garage. That was on purpose. I've never had any problems doing it like this... so long as I don't have anything immediately near my vehicle (within about 10 yards or so). Don't do it parked next to other cars, or parked next to a building or fence, etc.

[@markymark170]

why isn't my 6 foot fire stick antenna adjustable at the tip? I took off the sleeve and it's just flat at the top

[@o3djeeps]

It's probably a KW FireStik. They have several with tuneable tips like mine... And some that you have to cut to adjust.

[@Warmspringsrezbuck]

It probably has the little wires wrapped around the antennae, if it does you just unwrap a few at a time and use wire cutters to trim it off replace cap and retest it. Don’t cut too much off at a time just do 1-2 wraps and test and keep going as needed.

[@patandjessicasjeepadventur3227]

Where did you get the extra antenna cable

[@hbrhodes1s]

Did your CB Cobra 75 come with an antenna mount? I can't find a mounting bracket for my antenna and was thinking if buying a new one.

[@o3djeeps]

No. The radio doesn't come with an antenna mount.

[@michaelburton2142]

After your done tuning the antenna can you take the swr off or does it need to always be connected

[@o3djeeps]

Michael Burton you take it off and reconnect the antenna to the cb directly.

[@Copynnpaste]

What’s the science in having to tune the radio?

[@jasonf1340]

Do you have to ground the antenna and if so how do you do it.

[@WorshipKingJesus]

Grounding strap, first start at the frame and move to where the antenna mount is, then use a separate ground (short) to that piece you set that first ground strap to. You can use a 12gag wire with connectors to do this. Worked from what I’ve seen. Wow 10 months before anyone responded. It’s like when I try to do a radio check on any channel... no reply.... Is my radio broken ? Out of the blue one day... a guy answers, “It works”. Then no more communication...tight lipped people these days.

[@RogerJG21]

How did you connect the Cobra 75 WX ST Mic to the back of the SWR Meter the plug on the Cobra 75 WX ST Mic is Different did you use adapter?

[@o3djeeps]

It just goes inline in the antenna cable.. It comes with a small coax to connect the meter the CB antenna in.

[@RogerJG21]

You have to connect the antenna cable to the ANT side on the SWR meter, then you have to connect the Mic to the TX side on the SWR meter, the problem I'm having is the Mic has a 5-pin plug and the SWR meter have a pl-259 single pin how do I connect the mic to the SWR meter?

[@o3djeeps]

You don't connect the mic to the swr meter. I'm not sure where the confusion is... The meter plugs into the antenna port on the CB box. It doesn't plug into the mic and the mic doesn't plug into it.

[@RogerJG21]

LOL I'm lost I'm to new to the CB world and I have no clue how to tune this CRAP!

[@RogerJG21]

I just saw your video I got it now Thanks Great video by the way

[@robertd5421]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼