1998 Blazer - A Few Install Questions

[Coheed]

Hey everyone,

I picked up a 1998 blazer this last weekend. It's in pretty good condition, some door dings, and some rattling that needs taken care of, but for the price I couldn't pass up the offer.

At any rate - I'm working on getting my radio installed - and have run into a few snags.

First of all, the 959 is going to be a tough fit in the vehicle. The only place I seem logical is by the passenger's left leg, sort of between the seat and the console. If anyone has any other ideas about this, let me know.

Secondly, I'm having some SWR issues. For right now, since I just got the vehicle, I'm running my 959 through the cigarette lighter. While I do not like this setup, I don't have time to run cable straight to the battery, at this point in time (note: I do plan on running straight to the battery soon). With my Wilson 1000 mag mount, my SWR is through the roof. No matter what I do, I cannot get the SWR under 3. The readings tell me I need to make my antenna shorter. But I'm wondering, could this be some sort of a ground issue, or otherwise? I don't want to go clipping my antenna without first verifying that it NEEDS to be clipped. Funny though, my Little Wil's SWRs are practically flat (so I'm using that right now, but I want my big boy antenna back).

Lastly, if the clipping of the antenna is eminent, how would one go about it? With a grinder, hacksaw, etc? And how much at a time?

Excuse my ignorance.

Thanks in advance,

Coheed

[626]

If your lil wil is working, then that mag mount should work. Do you have the one with the removable top? Can you take pics?

[Coheed]

If your lil wil is working, then that mag mount should work. Do you have the one with the removable top? Can you take pics?

Sure, the Little Wil works, but it doesn't have the punch on transmit that the 1k does. Which antenna are you asking if it has a removable top, and why?

I have both antennas with all of the parts that came out of the box. The 1k is an awesome antenna, but I'm not so sure if I need to cut it down, even though my SWR says I do. Just wanting to be certain before I start hacking away.

[626]

I was asking if your Blazer has a removable top. Because the top is not metal.

If the readings tell you to make it shorter go ahead and do so. I use a cut off wheel or hack saw. I wouldnt do more then a quarter inch at a time.

['Doc]

Just for grins, set that antenna on the hood and see if the SWR comes down any. From what you've said, and from what Gunny said, I suspect the problem is in that Blazer's rood not being metal.
'Tuning' an antenna is about as normal as it gets. You want to be careful doing that, as in take small 'bites' off of it's length, but that's usually how it's done.
Have fun.
- 'Doc

[drdx]

I don't think they made a 98 blazer with the removable top. The last blazer with the top that came off was a K5, and that quit in what, 90 or something? Don't most wilson 1000's show close to decent swr out of the box? An swr of 3 sounds like more is wrong, like maybe damaged/mashed coax or something.

-drdx

[626]

good call drdx

If that coax has been pinched it would certainly account for your SWR issues.

[Coheed]

I don't think they made a 98 blazer with the removable top. The last blazer with the top that came off was a K5, and that quit in what, 90 or something? Don't most wilson 1000's show close to decent swr out of the box? An swr of 3 sounds like more is wrong, like maybe damaged/mashed coax or something.

-drdx

Good call. Right before I got the new vehicle, I took the Wilson 1k off of my truck, and ran the coax through the door for a few days as a temporary solution. Boo boo on my part.

[Coheed]

Well, after freezing my butt off for a few minutes out in this cold weather, I think I have ruled out a damaged coax. I threw the antenna back on my truck and got a pretty nice SWR reading. I also found out that my jumper coax from my meter to my radio is bad, so that was throwing me off. Hopefully tomorrow I can be a bit more paitent with placement, and tinkering. Thank you guys for the suggestions.

On my issue of the 959 being too large, I think I've found a solution I think I'll order the Uniden PC-68XL from Sparky, and see if he'll add in echo and talkback for me. Either that, or I'll just mount the 959 where it is and I'll just deal with it.

[jessejamesdallas]

Try this before cutting the stinger...First place the antenna in the middle of the roof and check your SWR....Then move the antenna to the back of the roof, about 6" from the end and re-check the SWR.

On my Suburban, the antenna's almost always tune better located at the back. But on shorter roofs they tune better in the middle of the roof.

Once you find where you have the best reading, then go ahead and do some trimming...

Also, using a hacksaw is a royal pain IMO...It's allot easier to use a hand grinder with a cut-off wheel...quicker, and neater cuts.

[Coheed]

Try this before cutting the stinger...First place the antenna in the middle of the roof and check your SWR....Then move the antenna to the back of the roof, about 6" from the end and re-check the SWR.

On my Suburban, the antenna's almost always tune better located at the back. But on shorter roofs they tune better in the middle of the roof.

Once you find where you have the best reading, then go ahead and do some trimming...

Also, using a hacksaw is a royal pain IMO...It's allot easier to use a hand grinder with a cut-off wheel...quicker, and neater cuts.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go.

[str8stroke]

this may be a dumb question, but have you tried checking your SWR with a different meter? never know. Just a idea. I have 2 that I like to use, and I NEVER EVER EVER EVER use the "meter" built into the radio. I tell most folks those are there for "entertainment purpose only". just my .2cents

[LilRodbuster]

when I had my radio in a cig plug my swr's were not that good (2.8)with a k30 and I did find moving close to the back as JJ said worked to getting lower swr's but still did not get it perfect until I wired to the battery and with my W1k Ican really put it any where and still have 1.2.1

Just my .02
good luck

[mat_me]

once you determine if you need to cut the whip or not there is mant ways to trim it , and about a qurter inch is the suggested amount to trim off. I use a pair of bolt cutters. Keep in mind that you do have a little play up and down with the set screws in the base of th antenna.
good luck, and 10-4 on the cold weather ... :r&r:

[p38]

Hey everyone,

I picked up a 1998 blazer this last weekend. It's in pretty good condition, some door dings, and some rattling that needs taken care of, but for the price I couldn't pass up the offer.

At any rate - I'm working on getting my radio installed - and have run into a few snags.

First of all, the 959 is going to be a tough fit in the vehicle. The only place I seem logical is by the passenger's left leg, sort of between the seat and the console. If anyone has any other ideas about this, let me know.

Secondly, I'm having some SWR issues. For right now, since I just got the vehicle, I'm running my 959 through the cigarette lighter. While I do not like this setup, I don't have time to run cable straight to the battery, at this point in time (note: I do plan on running straight to the battery soon). With my Wilson 1000 mag mount, my SWR is through the roof. No matter what I do, I cannot get the SWR under 3. The readings tell me I need to make my antenna shorter. But I'm wondering, could this be some sort of a ground issue, or otherwise? I don't want to go clipping my antenna without first verifying that it NEEDS to be clipped. Funny though, my Little Wil's SWRs are practically flat (so I'm using that right now, but I want my big boy antenna back).

Lastly, if the clipping of the antenna is eminent, how would one go about it? With a grinder, hacksaw, etc? And how much at a time?

Excuse my ignorance.

Thanks in advance,

Coheed

how did you do with it? have the same issue i ended up runing the coax from the antenna (mounted on the hitch)through the body drain plug by the jack and under the passengers seat by the door jamb then across from just behind the right front seat and under it to the radio. i mounted exactly where you have it ! mine is also powered through the cigarette lighter and when i move the mic towards me it goes from 1.2 to three the redlines it. your not alone on this issue. im gonna look at the skematic for aux power from the fuse panel tm and see where to tap off the box and ground it right from there. i dont like the thought of drilling holes in my fire wall