CB questions...
Feb 7, 2003 | 12:04 PM
#1
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Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,690
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From: Los Angeles, CA
CB questions...
Hey I just setup my cb and is configured.... my swr readings are in the 1.2 ~ 1.4... not bad but....
i have excess coax cable that is just coiled up (diameter is about 15 inches??...) should i just shorten the cable? or just keep the way it is.... right now i have it under the front seat floor liner and i was thinking of cutting the cable to shorten it...
good idea? or bad idea?
thanks!
i have excess coax cable that is just coiled up (diameter is about 15 inches??...) should i just shorten the cable? or just keep the way it is.... right now i have it under the front seat floor liner and i was thinking of cutting the cable to shorten it...
good idea? or bad idea?
thanks!
Feb 7, 2003 | 12:18 PM
#2
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Auburn, Washington
Bad, don't cut it.
Some will argue that it's OK, but if you go to Firestik's website and look in the FAQ section, you will see this:
Their website has a lot ot good CB info.
www.firestik.com
I have about 3' extra and it is coiled up under the passenger floormat.
I'd leave it like it is. Firestik knows what they are talking about.
Some will argue that it's OK, but if you go to Firestik's website and look in the FAQ section, you will see this:
Q
Is the length of the coax cable important?
A
We find that it is very important ... especially with high performance top-loaded antennas. Your safest bet is to use 18 feet (5.5 meters) coaxial leads on all of your CB installations.
Q
I only needed 9 feet of coax to go from my radio to my antenna. How should I handle the excess?
A
What ever you do, do not roll it into a small convenient coil. It will become an RF choke. If you cannot let it lie loose under a seat or in a headliner, wrap it into a yarn-like skein of about 12 to 16 inches, put a wire tie in the center and tuck it under your dash, seat, etc.
Is the length of the coax cable important?
A
We find that it is very important ... especially with high performance top-loaded antennas. Your safest bet is to use 18 feet (5.5 meters) coaxial leads on all of your CB installations.
Q
I only needed 9 feet of coax to go from my radio to my antenna. How should I handle the excess?
A
What ever you do, do not roll it into a small convenient coil. It will become an RF choke. If you cannot let it lie loose under a seat or in a headliner, wrap it into a yarn-like skein of about 12 to 16 inches, put a wire tie in the center and tuck it under your dash, seat, etc.
www.firestik.com
I have about 3' extra and it is coiled up under the passenger floormat.
I'd leave it like it is. Firestik knows what they are talking about.
Feb 7, 2003 | 12:39 PM
#3
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,878
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From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Cutting = bad. It will probably change your SWR results if you do it. Roll it up in a big, "O" shape for best results. Don't roll it up like small network cables.
EDIT: Big O shape works but the yarn-like method Corey posted about works too, probably even better. And easier to hide?
EDIT: Big O shape works but the yarn-like method Corey posted about works too, probably even better. And easier to hide?
Last edited by HBoss; Feb 7, 2003 at 01:14 PM.
Feb 7, 2003 | 01:34 PM
#5
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Urbandale, IA
You don't have to kee it all under the floor mat, it just depends on where your mount is and where the coax comes inside. I have all my excess coil wrapped up and tucked in right underneath the master cylinder.
I agree with Corey too, the Firestik web site has alot of great info.
I agree with Corey too, the Firestik web site has alot of great info.
Feb 7, 2003 | 01:36 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,690
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From: Los Angeles, CA
hmm that's an idea....
i just installed it yesterday night so i really didn't want to fudge around the dark finding a nice spot behind the dash so i'll look into it this weekend....
i just installed it yesterday night so i really didn't want to fudge around the dark finding a nice spot behind the dash so i'll look into it this weekend....
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