deathrunner

Ok, I am running into every problem that I can this month, geez.

So, I'm retuning my firestik, no problem, done it several times before. I get it so that channel 40 an channel 1 are at the same number and that is less than 1.5. Awesome, that's what I'm going for.

So, I put the rubber tip back on teh antenna, and check it one more time before I unplug the meter. NOW Channel 40 is at 3 and Channel1 is barely doing anything.

So I figure teh tip is dirty and causing the problem, so I clean it rewally well and make sure to dry it thoroughly. I put it back on, same problem. Take it off and the reading is back to the correct adjustment.

What Gives?

I want to have the tip on to protect the adjustment screw from corrosion, but I also want propper tuning. Has anyone else experienced this? What can I do?

Thanks

Corey

iTrader: (1)

Have not heard of that.
With my rubber tip on I get a 1.1 match or better on all 40.

Albuquerque Jim

Ditch the Firestick...Wilson all the way.

deathrunner

Wilson? I'll have to check into that, not sure it's in my budget now to replace an item that is so new, though. Any other thoughts?

I can't think of anything else that woudl be causing this, the tip is teh only variable that changes.

deathrunner

Answered my own question, I'll give it another shot tomorrow. SWEET!

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/tip_tip.htm

rngrchad

I'm running some serious wattage through my CB, so therefore my swr's have to be stay real close to 1:4 or lower. Like Alburquqe Jim said: Wilson all the way. Wilson's are great, easy to adjust for swr. Steel whip antennas are far superior during tx(transmit) than fiberglass. MOST SWR problems are a result of bad grounding.

deathrunner

Well according to the link above you are supposed to check the SWR with the tip on, even though the tip is just rubber, it still extends the length of the antenna and needs to be considered in the tuning process, I imagine it is going to be the same for the Wilson antenna.

I didn't realize the tip made the difference.

northfacer581

does the rubber tip make that much of a difference?

ive never had my firestick tuned...and it works great...and i lost the rubber tip.

? am i just lucky?

deathrunner

You could be damaging your CB, and most likely not reaching the potential of your setup.

Yes, the rubber tip makes a huge difference. I had the extremeties balanced to about 1.4:1 with it off, and then I put it back on and channel 40 jumped to 3:1 and Channel 1 was like 1:1. What that means is that the antenna needs to be shortened (In effect the tip added to the length of the antenna.

I went back and did it right today and I was able to get everything balanced at 1.4:1 with the tip on. My reception is much clearer and I seem to be picking up more. We'll see how it works on the trail.

Oh yeah, just before I tuned it today, I ran a 10gauge wire from the antenna mount to my frame. The Firestik site warned about the off and on quality of the ground on a swingout tire carrier due to the bushings insulating the antenna from the ground.

I think I'm good to go now.

northfacer581

well thanks for the heads up.

lee

i didnt tune mine either... works just fine on the trail, no problems to report.

i have a firefly, not a firestik II like most people.