Gold Wing CB Antenna Tuning
SWR Tuning made easy!
This is how you can adjust the Standing
Wave Ratio on your Gold Wing's CB Antenna
Location of CB connections
All SWR meters are essentially the same, there may be differences in
the
location of the controls, but they will have the same function.
For additional instructions with the meter and cable information click HERE
- To the far left is the meter, it is shown in the
calibrate position when transmitting
- The knob on the left is the function switch, in
the SWR position
- The switch selects Forward or Reflected power, here
it is set to forward for calibration
- The knob on the right is the calibration knob, it
is adjusted for full scale
Instructions for use
- After hooking up the cables, set the function switch
to SWR
- Set the selector switch to Forward (Cal on the Radio Shack meter)
- Set the CB on channel 1, then press the transmit
switch on the handlebar, while it is depressed, turn the calibration knob
so that the meter goes to the top of the scale, as shown in the image above,
then release the transmit switch
- Set the selector switch to Reflected (switch to SWR on the Radio Shack meter), then
press the transmit switch on the handlebar again, then read the SWR from
the meter. In the photo notice that there are 5 marks, then a 0.5,
a space, then 1, another mark, then a 2, make a note of
the reading for Channel 1.
- Repeat the same procedure for Channel 40, make a
note of the reading.
- If the reading for Channel 40 is lower than
Channel 1, then your antenna is too short
- Loosen the set screws on the top part of the antenna loading coil, pull the whip out about 1/4", retighten, then repeat the measurements
shown above till the SWR reaches a number less than 2 on all channels, tighten
set screws
- If the reading for Channel 40 is higher than
Channel 1, your antenna is too long
- Loosen the set screws on the top part of the antenna loading coil, carefully cut about 1/8" from the bottom of the whip, retighten and then repeat the measurements
until the SWR reaches a number less than 2 on all channels
The lower the number the better, note that a reading of 2 or less on
all channels is acceptable
Shown above is my reading on Channel 1, this is the ideal 1 to 1 ratio
Shown here is my reading on Channel 40, this is 1.3 to 1, a very good
SWR reading
- It will not always be possible to achieve results
as shown above, any ratio below 2 to 1 will give good results, and little
difference will be noted compared to the amount of labor involved.
- I believe the main reason I have such good numbers
is because I was extremely careful to make sure I had good grounds on the
antenna, the grounding strap that goes in the trunk, between the antenna
and the frame, was carefully cleaned with a wire brush to make sure the grounds
were as good as I could make them
If you like my website please let me know!
John Owens©
