Lil Wilson SWR not great, any ideas?

[Jbones]

Worked on tuning antenna a little more today. Yesterday after trimming I was 1.4 on channel 1 and 2.4 on 40. New out of box a few days back it was flat on 1 and over 3 on 40. Yikes!

I hack sawed another 1/16 off today getting me 1.5 and 1.9. I guess I’m done, don’t think trimming anymore off will improve SWR. I just wanted to be under 2.1 without sacrificing to much at the other end.

I was hoping better out of the Lil Wilson. I moved all over the roof of 4Runner. Dead center is the only spot that gets SWR I have now.

First radio, first antenna, learning cure for sure!

Any suggestions?

[295 antenna]

You should be getting much better. Are you using an in-line swr meter or the one on the radio?

[Jbones]

I agree, i researched for a couple week everything on internet before deciding on this one. All pointed to good SWR, lower then what I’m seeing.

I’m using an inline Astatic PDC7.

[MDYoungblood]

Finding the sweet spot on the vehicle which you already done. Next would be to get the antenna to the lowest SWR on the middle of the band, (ch 19 or 20), then balance out the SWR at the ends of he band, (ch 1 and 40). On the "Lil Wil", the SWR isn't going to be great and the ends of the bands will be high. Reason is the antenna is short, (32"), longer antennas will have more bandwidth hence the SWR doesn't change as much. Not knowing the use of the radio, this setup will be fine for short distance talking, the Midland 822 isn't known to be a powerhouse.
Once you are bitten by the CB bug, I see updating of equipment in your future.

3's

Greg

[Jbones]

I’m in same spot on roof and now getting 1.3 and 1.4, and flat on 20. Its always been an SWR of 1 on 20 through the tune process, not sure how that works. More reading I guess!

But earlier today while scratching my head I noticed a high spot were hacksaw cut was uneven. I took it to bench grinder and smoothed it out flat. Was that preventing full contact with base? Put back on previous sweet spot and whether in driveway or open field close to house it’s stays at 1.3 and 1.4. I hope SWR stays where is.

Longer antenna would be great, just not practical for my daily driver. I’ve started looking at upgraded radios. Mounting is the challenge, 4Runner doesn’t present lots of area to install, like the President McKinley but even its to big I think.

[MDYoungblood]

One thing you really have to watch out for with magnet mount antennas is the coax running inside. Check the coax where it enters to see if it is crushed, that is the start of SWR problems.

3's

Greg

[Jbones]

Yes I have to be careful, I almost rolled up the window on the coax a few times. I think it the ole saying “not a matter of if but a matter of when” I crush coax in window.

[jessejamesdallas]

lil Wilson is more or less a "Starter Antenna"... They work...just not anywhere near the best on the market...

Wilson antennas use to be some of the better antennas out there...But the quality has suffered with the antennas due to ownership of the brand changing hands and possibly being made in China now.

Sirio and Stryker are two antenna manufactures who make a magnet mount antenna which would be up-grades to what you have now when you decide to up-grade. (provided you want to stay with the base-loaded type antennas)

[Bozo]

lil Wilson is more or less a "Starter Antenna"... They work...just not anywhere near the best on the market...

Wilson antennas use to be some of the better antennas out there...But the quality has suffered with the antennas due to ownership of the brand changing hands and possibly being made in China now.

Wilson use to be a great antenna back in the day, and I agree with[mention]jessejamesdallas[/mention] the quality is not what it use to be before they sold out.

Monkeymade is my antenna of choice now

[Jbones]

I’m up for Better antennas, just have a height limitation right now. With the mag mount i need to be able to remove in some situations and lay across back sit. The 36” range fits that requirement. Something around 40-42” may work also.
I recall looking at the two brands mentioned and didn't see desired length. I don’t mind cost, it’s the length right now. I may find a fender/hood /door hinge mount one day. I remember President Electronics had a few mag with whips that fit the length, just wasn’t enough reviews on internet to make me comfortable sending them $80.

I got the Wilson for $30 new thanks to some Amazon points. I do hope to improve on the whole system soon. Radio and antenna. I’ve read all over internet that the antenna is the part not to skimp on. I guess I skimped and got bit.

[Bozo]

I had height limitations also when I used a 102" also because my parking garage. I invested in a quick release

[Jbones]

What type of mount was that?

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Added 32 minutes 38 seconds after previous.
I did find a 42” whip listed as a lil Wilson replacement. Wonder if mag base hold stay put, would it tune. If any better than what I have.

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I saw the Procomm stuff at local truck stop few weeks back before I ordered the Wilson.

[MDYoungblood]

First, the 42" replacement whip will not work, you cut off the existing whip to get the SWR where it is so you would be wasting money, that and the fact 42" is still short in my book, a minimum of 48" will give you not a great but a good SWR bandwidth.
I run a 102" whip on the back corner of my pickup, and have a ball mount,
13'9"to the tip from the ground
Hustler ball mount, aluminum flat stock and angle
I would tie the antenna forward on days I had to park in a garage (bank drive in too) but stopping to do that got old fast so I would just drive right on in scaring the heck out of everyone around.

The point is the longer the antenna the better the performance.

3's

Greg

[Jbones]

Looks good.

Never to keen on putting holes in 4Runner but did like the looks of this mount, I may may order.
Rago Fabrication[mod=Bozo] 2nd warning...link removed please read rules rules#rule-2d[/mod]

Screenshot_20210120-200554_Chrome.jpg

How does that work out for signal on some vehicles when much of the antenna is below the roof line with low bracket mounts?

[jessejamesdallas]

I’m up for Better antennas, just have a height limitation right now. With the mag mount i need to be able to remove in some situations and lay across back sit. The 36” range fits that requirement. Something around 40-42” may work also.
I recall looking at the two brands mentioned and didn't see desired length. I don’t mind cost, it’s the length right now. I may find a fender/hood /door hinge mount one day. I remember President Electronics had a few mag with whips that fit the length, just wasn’t enough reviews on internet to make me comfortable sending them $80.

I got the Wilson for $30 new thanks to some Amazon points. I do hope to improve on the whole system soon. Radio and antenna. I’ve read all over internet that the antenna is the part not to skimp on. I guess I skimped and got bit.

Antennas I mentioned are going to be in the 5 to 6' range..."ANYTHING" shorter than 5', then it doesn't mater what antenna you get, none of them will preform that good...when It comes to "CB Antennas" Height is Might... There's just no way you will be able to get any decent range out of a short antenna on 11 Meter band... Like Bozo said, they do make "quick release" gizmos for some antennas which makes it easier to remove the antenna when needed.

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First, the 42" replacement whip will not work, you cut off the existing whip to get the SWR where it is so you would be wasting money, that and the fact 42" is still short in my book, a minimum of 48" will give you not a great but a good SWR bandwidth.
I run a 102" whip on the back corner of my pickup, and have a ball mount,
13'9"to the tip from the ground
Hustler ball mount, aluminum flat stock and angle
I would tie the antenna forward on days I had to park in a garage (bank drive in too) but stopping to do that got old fast so I would just drive right on in scaring the heck out of everyone around.

The point is the longer the antenna the better the performance.

3's

Greg

I haven't seen one of those Gutter clips in years!....Guess probably because very few trucks and cars even have gutters anymore...I remember using them with whips tho years ago...even had one on a 75 Pinto!

[MDYoungblood]

#406516
Unread post by jessejamesdallas » 27 Dec 2020, 20:16
I haven't seen one of those Gutter clips in years!

I have a couple in one of my storage totes from when RS was selling out, didn't believe all the good stuff those stores had pulled off the shelves and toss in boxes in the back because all they wanted to sell was phones at the end, one store had six 102" whips, got them all for $6! The pic I posted came off eBay.

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3's

Greg

[443 Arizona]

i put a hole in the roof of 4 vehicles, never regretted it, 2 have base loads, 2 have "pucks" so that any antenna can be used.
improves signal,grounding, looks, and people cant reach it either unless they really try

[Jbones]

Worried about leaks, Phobia I guess. It rains like crazy here pacific NW. Has been nice this week though!

[Bozo]

I was also worried about leaks, but I haven't had any leakage for any puck I installed.

You really have to be invested into the hobby to start drilling holes. So if you're on the fence going to magnemount would be the best idea but I also understand you have the highest restriction to. But Mag mounts come off really easily. Prayers I used to take off my Wilson 5000 magnet mount antenna and put it in my truck too park my truck under the garage

[Jbones]

Kinda what I was thinking a taller mag mount or some type of Back hatch mount like:

5GT4R_CBMOUNT_1081x.jpg

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[Kalkavekkian]

I know they can be a pain but i got my best performance and lowest swr with 7 foot skipshooters and 102 in whip. I made a heavy gage stainless bracket that mounts at the top of the bed directly below the rear window. I worked in steel fab shops for years so that helped. I will see if i can find it and send u pics of how its set up.

[Bozo]

At least you learned defensive driving on how to miss trees with tall antennas.lol

[tobybul]

Had the same problem with Lil Wil. I just got my system together with President Johnson II radio and Lil Wil. On SWR, out of the box Chan 1 = 1:1. Chan 20 = 2.5:1, Chan 40 = 3.5:1. Trimmed 3x @ 1/16" each time. Stopped at C1=1.5:1, C20+ 2:1, C40= 2.5. Moved antenna up, no improvement.

Someone was selling a Tram 300 for cheap nearby so i got it. Wow! The Tram tuned right on the nose. Got ppl responding to me right away. Returning Lil Wil to Amazon.

[Jbones]

Almost got the Tram 300.
Was thinking about Wilson 500 but not sure not if i want another Wilson now after the band experience.

I ordered a new lil wil whip, finally got SWR down to 1.5 on channel 1 and 40. Strange it always stays flat in 20. I’ll be getting a new radio and antenna soon I hope. The midland 75-822 I use works better in house with abbree antenna than in car with lil wil.

Been busy studying for Tech license on 24th, and researching ham HT’s, so after that I’ll upgrade CB and antenna.

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Added 11 minutes 29 seconds after previous.
Interesting, I’m sitting parking lot with an Abbree 41” sticking out my window and getting much better reception than lil wil a few minutes ago

The alternator whinnying I get on this 75-822 when plugged into cig lighter is awful.

[443 Arizona]

well you want to run it on its own dedicated wires straight to the battery, and avoid running them near any motors,fans,blowers, and can even add a power filter if needed.
another quick story, after i put a 102" whip on my roof, the crappy radio turned into a "talker".
and lastly, my latest rooftop installation, with such thin sheetmetal on vehicles nowdays, resulted in alot of roof flex, so i added a 2.5" washers, and used a smaller ant. , its much better but i want to go to a larger puck style so i can go bigger with the ant. which i will have to incorporate the inner body panel for more stability, making it a big sandwich style puck.