GMRS Base Station Antenna
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- In this video we install a base station GMRS antenna on a J bracket and run into some high SWR readings using our Surecom SW-102 meter.
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Product links from this video:
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Tram ¼ Wave GMRS Antenna: amzn.to/3y4KEEe
J Mount: amzn.to/3KB6Dpq
Tram Ground Plane Kit: amzn.to/3KBzt8Q
Surcom Meter: amzn.to/3VvqmNp
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Lots of good advice in the comments here.
Things to look out for:
Ground plane issues
eliminating things from the equation to see if it gets any better.
Moving it away from the other antenna
Coax length/quality. Along with the connectors as well
The route of the coax could be too close to conductors.
Thanks for commenting.
I had a very similar ground plane from MFJ. It was utterly unsuitable for outdoor use. For me, the CompacTenna ground plane was a sturdy replacement.
But, yeah, as said elsewhere, RG-8x coax is only ok for 50 foot or shorter runs on high frequencies like GMRS. Keep the coax a few inches away from metal siding and downspouts AMAP. If possible, use LMR-400 coax for long runs. Keep your antennas at least 6 feet apart.
I learned the hard way. My new antenna is up and running perfectly. Ed Fong antenna with KMR400. Thank you for commenting
Two antennas that close to each other will effect your SWR in negative ways. Separate the antennas a larger distance and see if the SWR changes. I'm betting it will.
Ok, Ill give it a try. I'm going to get another meter also. My goal is to get the house antenna up and running.
Several things could be wrong there. First, if moisture has gotten into your coax it will cause random swr readings like that. You should always wrap some electrical tape around any outdoors connections to prevent rain from getting in. Also there’s a lot of metal near your antenna, that will cause issues as well. The coax running along that metal drain pipe could cause issues. I’d start by taking the antenna (with mount) down and setting it several feet away from any large metal objects and checking swr again. If it’s still high, it may be your coax. If it’s normal, then you need to mount the antenna somewhere else, I’d try putting it up at the peak of the roof and run the coax straight down to your entry point into the house. The lightning arrestor is going to be useless until you connect it to a ground rod. You can get one at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Should be 8ft copper or copper plated. Then use copper wire to connect it to your house ground rod which is usually right next to the electric meter.
Thank you for your advice. I think the antenna is coming down this week and I'm re-evaluating my set up. Just a couple notes. Moisture is not an issue the antenna was only up about 4 hours while I was installing it and filming at the same time. Also, I wanted to put it up at the peak of the roof but that is where my electrical service comes in and I thought that would cause interference.
Yep the antennas are too close together.
I would definitely try a different meter and see what’s going on I would also probably bump up to at least a RG8X coax on that long of a run
Yeah, I agree. Its all over the place and not consistent at all. I tried another radio off camera and the SWR was 18. So frustrating.
@@paulethier3416 there is nothing any more annoying than an electrical issue whether it be something as simple as swr on a radio or a 100 thousand dollar car they drive me crazy 🤪 haha
Agreed
@@paulethier3416get the Mfj 269 meter. You don’t need a radio to test with it.
My suggestion: Don't run your coax along the downspout. I'd try to slip it behind that plastic corner flashing instead. You don't want your coax taking that long of a path along a good conductor. Yes, your cheap little SWR meter is probably not doing you any favors either. Find a local ham radio operator who has a device called an antenna analyzer. He can "sweep" your antenna system and find out what is going wrong with it. I'd also change your coax to high quality RG-8X type such as Timewave LMR240. If your not a ham radio operator, contact your local ham radio club and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to get you sorted out. 73 de Larry, K3LT GMRS: WSDI872.
Ok thank you for the advice.
I would not place two antennas that close to each other. When one is transmitting, the other will be subjected to excessive RF energy, even at a few watts. That can cause issues in your set-up and to whatever other device is connected to it. Good Luck!
One antenna was connected to the radio the other was just sitting there not connected to anything
@@paulethier3416 Bend the ground radials down at 45 degrees and test again with out any other antennas near .Then the radials at 45 deg, it will bring the impedance to 50 ohms which is what radio antennas are designed for. Also, use a larger diameter coax such as RG 214,or an LMR 400 by Times Microwave. Those type coaxes are less lossy than RG58 which mostly used for shorter runs as in a vehicle . Base stations have a longer run from the radio to the roof.
As other replies have said ,measure the length of the whip and as with most antennas come with a cutting chart to cut the antenna for the freq.of the radio.
At UHF frequencies ,a 1/4 wave antenna is 6 inches long.
@@donp5941 Thank you for the suggestions. I was going to bend the radials but then they would hit the roof. I think my antenna height is a bit to low and the roof is part of the problem. Also, I was wondering if there is such a thing as the radials being two long as I've seen other antennas with shorter radials bend down 45 degrees. The second antenna I tried I know is tuned to the correct length the 1st antenna is tuned for dual band (uhf/vhf). Thanks for the advice. I have lots to learn and lots to try, but I will get figured out.
Build a J beam antenna out of a j Pole antenna mite work better
Thank you, I'll have to look into that.
Hey Paul, are any of your antennas tunable? When I mounted my base antenna (Tram 1486) I had to do some clipping and tuning to get my SWR down to a useable level.
They were all tuned when they were installed as mobile antennas. Maybe I need to retune them? I never really gave it a thought I figured once they were tuned, but maybe I’m wrong.
@@paulethier3416 My Tram was supposed to come tuned for GMRS frequencies but the SWR was still too high. I had to do some trimming.
I found when I made my portable antenna and used the radials the unit would not even transmit signal I took off the radials and works well. Don't have a swr meter