need help from the experts for a base setup

[jimmy_waverider]

OK, as you all know I'm new to this, when radio shack was closing I got a mobile cbradio radioshack TRC-521 and a magnetic radioshack antenna with wx for a really low price $64.00, I would like to use it as my base radio for now, I got a power converter I hooked it up and it works, I placed the antenna on top of my gun safe near a window, before I started to transmit I went and got a SWR meter to check it and it gives me a high reading above 3 on all channels, could it be the antenna cable, grounding of the antenna, or what can I do to fix it.

[hotrod459magnolia]

THE FIRST THING I RECOMMEND IS GETTING AN ANTENNA TO MOUNT ON THE OUSIDE OF YOU HOUSE. IF A MOBILE ANTENNA IS ALL YOU CAN AFFORD THATS BETTER THAN AN INSIDE ANT.. I STARTED WITH A MOBILE 8 FOOT FRANCISE WHIP ON A PUSH UP POLE AND IT WORKED GREAT.. BUT I BET YOUR SWR PROBLEM IS THAT ANTENNA COAX ON IT IS PROBABLY BAD.

459 IN THE MAG

[BobOstro61]

The top of the gun safe probably isn't a big enough ground plane either.

[Rex_foxhound]

Most likely a grounding issue.

[BigBopper]

If you want to use a mobile antenna inside, go with a NO ground antenna,,,sounds like you have reflection from a wall or another source

[jimmy_waverider]

Thanks guys, I guess I can try mounting an outside antenna, were could I get the whip antenna, the mount bracket and push up pole and a good coax cable for it? And how much would this cost and could I use it in the future with a better home base rig.

[Mississippifrog]

I know some times you got to do what you can with what you got but i HIGHLY recommend spending a little money on a ground plain antenna,like the Antron 99.It will make things simpler and the performance difference would be drastically better.Around here up can pick up a used one for about $45 dollars pretty easy and if you look hard enough you can get one cheaper than that.Good luck

[Phaze91460]

A-99 is a good, cheep base antenna option. I use one, have it mounted 65 feet up.

[jimmy_waverider]

I looked at the antron and also the bandit 2, I like them both I still have to make up my mind. I started thinking about the info I got here and I mounted the mag antenna in the burglar bars on the outside window, and ran the cable to meter and checked and it was giving me 1.2 reading. I got better reception right away, I think the structure is big enough to resemble the roof of a car, 10'x4' area. I hope I don't mess up the CB, it was a grounding problem the safe was not big enough, plus it was indoors.

[WavMixer]

It wouldn't hurt to ground the radio and antenna to a good solid ground. Then you can use the Earth as your ground plane.

[jimmy_waverider]

how could I ground it, run a cable from the metal to a spike in the ground, and how do I ground my CB?

[causmik]

Run a good sized length of wire to the area where you are going to drive in a ground rod. Get an eight foot ground rod and cut it into four egual lengths. Drive each two foot section into the ground at four foot spacings. Run a grounding strap from point to point across the four posts. Connect the wire from your radio to this. It will work.

[Mr. Fixit]

Make sure your outlets inside your Radio room are grounded.
Ground all your equipment, not just your Radio !!!!!
Suggestion: The place where your antenna screws on radio.......is held on with 4 little phillips head screws, ground your radio from one of those screws.
A painted surface will NOT give you a good ground.
:D