On Mar 23, 2:21*pm, Vinnie S. wrote:
Thanks for you response.

1] * *You really want to try and get your SWR down to around 1.2:1

What is wrong with 1.5? It's prefectly fine, and losses from it are negiglible.

2] * *What is the length of your current coax?

This won't effect SWR.

3] * *You may want to try a higher quality coax.

Agreed. I use Davis Bury-flex. If you are not running underground, 9913 or
LMR400 is good.



4] * *You should check you coax connectors: are they old - you might want to
change them, but if you change them and they are the same age as the coax,
then change the coax it is cheaper. *If the coax comes with the connectors
installed, then try to get the TEFLON connectors as they last longer and are
of higher quality.
5] * *Can you adjust the length of your antenna? *If you can by loosening a
clamp, be sure to coat it with some RTV (u can get the RTV in any hardware
store) when you have finished adjusting it, as this will give your antenna
protection from the weather. *Also, any coax connectors at the base of the
antenna should be covered with Coax-Seal (www.coaxseal.com/).

I think he has tuning rings for SWR. But 1.5 is still very good.

6] * *As far as the ground radials, google "ground radials" - there are a
number of sites with information on that subject.

I have also gotten a mixed bag of opinions on this.

Vinnie S.



Thank you both (Channel Cop & Vinnie)!

I didn't really think that an SWR of 1.5 was all that bad either.

But to answer the question about Coax; I'm running Tramflex RG-8/x at
a length of 50' - it's not underground...it's more under trailer :-)

I've heard that the RG-8/x is not the best but only less than .5 db
worse than the LMR400. If it is a great benefit to replace it, then I
will. The only reasone I'd rather not jump to it, is that I just
purchased it 2 wks ago at about $0.80 / ft, and didn't want to shell
out more money so quickly if I wouldn't see a dramatic difference. It
came from a CB Shop, who custom made it to my requested length. I
also purchased the A99 from them at the same time, and they said that
I didn't need to worry about grounding it or adjusting it. I told
them that I was mounting it on a 1½" dia pipe about 25' high, and the
only thing that they said was they would perfer that I mounted it
higher - around 35'.

I was listening to it this afternoon, and it appears that I can hear
somewhat acceptable (approximately 15 miles away) - but they can't
hear me. That's what made me think that I needed something to boost
my transmit. Would raising my antenna an additional 10' help that
much?

Thanks again for both of your help.