Problems tuning the 2-foot FireStik antenna??

[Apexbasher]

Steve, exactly how have you spooled up the excess antenna cable from the install?

The tech page at Firestick mentioned that a simple coiling (circular) of the excess will cause problems because it is like 'winding the wire' causing an energy field that is detrimental to the signal.

Just an idea.

[doublejfj]

In my opinion it's the reflection to blame, not anything else.

Most 2' antennas on the BANDI mount aren't just high enough to get any decent transmission signal out.

[LandCruiserSteve]

Apexbasher previously said:

Steve, exactly how have you spooled up the excess antenna cable from the install?

The tech page at Firestick mentioned that a simple coiling (circular) of the excess will cause problems because it is like 'winding the wire' causing an energy field that is detrimental to the signal.

Actually, Matt, the cable routing of the 18' coax that I used left me with less than a foot by the time it got to the CB. Not enough to coil or wrap, even if I wanted to . . . .

doublejfj previously said:

In my opinion it's the reflection to blame, not anything else.
Most 2' antennas on the BANDI mount aren't just high enough to get any decent transmission signal out.

That's my guess as well, Julian. With a two-footer on a Bandi mount, the tip of the antenna barely reaches the top of the roof.

[homedad]

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

Nope. I tried that, too. Still can't get a appropriate/safe reading on the SWR with the two-footer.

To be on the safe side, it looks like I'll be returning to the three-footer (which allows for a near-perfect SWR reading).

Well that kinda answers your question in itself......

[LandCruiserSteve]

homedad previously said:

Well that kinda answers your question in itself......

Yep, it does. Thanks again for your suggestion though.

[cruiserlarry]

The 2' firestik antenna is too short to radiate sufficiently when mounted on a Bandi mount. It sits right up against the rear metal of the FJC, causing it to radiate back onto itself, and creating a high SWR. Most firestik antennas are top-loaded, and the upper third of the antenna must be free of any metal / fiberglass obstructions to allow for a good SWR, in addition to allowing for an omnidirectional radiation pattern (transmission / reception in all directions...)