Dual 5' Firestik tuning issue

[Reepo]

I am having issues setting the SWR and can't get the red antenna light to go away on Ch. 1 or 40 when trying to calibrate. I am using a Cobra 29 LTD Nightwatch with dual 5' Firestik II antennas and stake mount antenna holders. I've checked for grounds and shorts in the coax, and it checks out fine. I did cut about 3 feet or so off the original coax so I didn't have a mound of cable laying in the truck. Any and all help would be appreciated so I can get this fixed.

2008 F450 Lariat Superduty

 

[stroked 350]

I was told at one time the antennas had to be a certain distance apart. don't know if that is still true , but it might be worth checking into. good lucl

 

[Reepo]

The antennas are as far apart as I can get them (width of the truck bed). That is still the case though, something like 8 feet is ideal for separation. It's supposed to rain all day today and for the next few days to follow. I guess I'll have to drive around looking like I have a working cb installed. I'm not about to jump in and out of the bed all day long with it raining. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[ponyexpress94]

My understanding is that you are not supposed to alter the length of the coax cables. They are manufactured in lengths of 9 and 18 feet due to the tuning requirements. The extra cable that you were worried about can be annoying to find a spot to bundle it up out of sight but you do need it for your radio to operate properly. Hope this helps.

 

[Suprob]

There is always discussion about the two whip situation. I run a single Predator on my tractor trailer with a Connex 3500. I can flat get out and I have little dead spot. The way that the double whip waves is like throwing stones in a pond. Everywhere the waves hit each other they cancel one another out. I am just regerjitating what I was told, but a single antannea rocks on my truck. KISS Keep it Simple Stupid for me.

Rob