Cobra 75wxst Problem

[Rubicon13]

ok, here is what I did. I hooked up my Cobra 75 to my switched lighter. My lighter on the left works with the key on. So I took the lighter out clipped the wires and hooked them up to the wires out of the cobra box. I have power, and can listen to the weather channel. My antenna is a firestick 3ft, (I bought evrything from walcott, including the terraflex taillight mount). Now when I hook up the swr meter, i followed the instuctions...turn the knob till it goes to calibrate, switch to swr, press the button, and it peaks out. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Need some help.

 

[Scott]

A couple of things could be happening.

First, You used the plastic washer on the antenna mount, right?
If so none of the center post that goes through the antenna mount should be touching the mount.
http://www.walcottcb.com/images/K48R18.jpg This is the Fire-Flex Coax set up... it's the best way.

Second, is it a tunable firestick? if so remove the cap on top and tune. re-calibration is necessary after each adjustment.

you didn't cut the coax and re-splice.?.

 

[Rubicon13]

I did use the plastic washer, and it is set up according to the chart they sent. I didn't cut and re-splice the cable. Just real frustrating. My Brother-in-law put the end on the cable. I assumed since he is an electrician, that he did that correctly, although I didn't see how he did it...........

 

[Rubie Nubie]

I seem to be having the exact problem, Cal the SWR meter, key the Mike an
the meter spikes, The mast is isolated, about the only thing I haven't checked is
if the cable is shorting out....I'll check and let ya know :mrgreen:

 

[Scott]

My Brother-in-law put the end on the cable. I assumed since he is an electrician, that he did that correctly, although I didn't see how he did it...........

One little outer shielding strand touching the center strand will screw with it. thats why I like the fire-flex coax. Small end to snake through the body. No cutting/splicing of the coax.

 

[Rubicon13]

I'm using a fire-flex cable. I spoke with Jeepinmaxx earlier who said that the bracket that I am using to hold the antenna is heavily powder coated, and I may not be getting a good ground....I tried to sand away some of the powder coat, but still getting the same results..still spiking.

 

[RobTJ]

I had the same problem with my set-up. I had to widen the hole in the antenna mount.
Fixed the problem lickety slip.

 

[beaker]

I had a similar problem when I assembled my bracket wrong though I could swear the instructions said to do it that way. The outer shield and thus the nut should be in electrical contact with the bracket which should be grounded to the chassis.

 

[Rubicon13]

just a test

 

[HookSetSteve]

Sounds like it may be a ground issue
I found the best way to ground it if you are using the tail light bracket is to run the ground wire into the tail light and use the good vehicle ground in there that the light uses

 

[Rubicon13]

That means that I would have to hook up a separate dedicated ground wire, right? How would I attach it to the antenna? Here is how the setup is on the mounting bracket.... http://www.walcottcb.com/images/K48R18.jpg

Thanks,
Bob

 

[MasterDrazhar]

On the diagram you provided above, the ground wire would go on the bottom bolt or nut then to the vehicle.

The bracket I have on mine required drilling into the body, then a self tapping screw goes in that hole and acts as a ground... That's also an option for you, just drill a hole through both the bracket and the body.

 

[HookSetSteve]

That means that I would have to hook up a separate dedicated ground wire, right?  How would I attach it to the antenna? Here is how the setup is on the mounting bracket.... http://www.walcottcb.com/images/K48R18.jpg

Thanks,
Bob

Yes
if it doesn't have a sepperate ground wire and you aren't getting a good ground you will need to attach one either at the base of the antenna or at the mount itself

 

[ctaxle]

if the antenna is not tunable using a built in bolt on the top of the ant then you have to cut 1/4 inch chunks off the top of the antenna using a saw or grinder. try the grounding issue first. on my wilson 5000 mount i scraped the paint to metal and applied electrical grease to all connections,also grounded the body to the frame. if your mount is on a hinge part of the body you need to run a wire from the mount to the body/frame for a good grd. pete

 

[Rubie Nubie]

try the grounding issue first. if your mount is on a hinge part of the body you need to run a wire from the mount to the body/frame for a good grd. pete

Bingo....That's my problem...

 

[ctaxle]

yaaaaaaaay!!

 

[Rubicon13]

good for you Rubie Nubie....I'm still in the same boat...That is why I posted the picture of my son to the left saying "I don't know"...still peaking..hopefully I figure it out soon.  MasterDrazhar's gonna take a look at it tomorrow night.  I have been trying everything.  It is a tunable antenna(firefly).  I sanded all the paint off the mount, ran a separate ground wire, and still the same.  Who knows, I guess it could be the other end of the cable, or maybe the other cable that is going into the swr meter is bad.  I'll post what it was when I figure it out.  Thanks to all who have offered their advice.

 

[Rubicon13]

IT'S FIXED......Thanks to MasterDrahzar......The grounding on the antenna was fine. The cable end that was going into The cb was shorting. Thanks to XJMark for the use of his garage, and his tools.

 

[MasterDrazhar]

The center pole needed to be soldered as well.


So Ye-Haw! Now you won't be wondering what people are saying about you on the trail any more... :mrgreen:

 

[Rubie Nubie]

The center pole needed to be soldered as well.


What do you mean?? Please explain....