cb radio problems on a 3rd gen

[SilverBullet01]

ok, so I got myself a Cobra 19DXIV and mounted it in the ashtray spot like most other 3rd gen guys. Using a 4 foot adjustable firestik, 18 foot coax with a fire ring, and im having some swr issues. the smallest section of coax that the local radioshack had was 10 foot to use as a jumper to my swr meter that I picked up from frys. I taped into the power for one of the aux power outlets in the dash.

so my issue is every time I set the meter to tune it, as soon as I switch it to REF it gives me an off the chart high reading. I adjust the antenna and still nothing changes with the readings. Im using a Drifter33 made rear liftgate mount. and I'm grounding it by running a ring connector with wire up into the rig and connecting it at the ground point of the rear drivers side tail light.

any ideas what could be wrong?

 

[Presta24]

Did you use a nylon bushing between the antenna and the mount? Your antenna threads shouldn't be touching your mount.....nevermind, saw your using the fire ring.

 

[SilverBullet01]

yup, nylon on the mount so that is not touching anything on the antenna or cable. figured a ground to the same spot as the taillight would provide a sufficient ground plane...

 

[Offroader5]

Are you first calibrating before you switch it to SWR on the meter to get your reading?

 

[SilverBullet01]

ok, one problem solved but now onto the next.

the jumper I was using was coiled up and giving me issues. uncoiled it and now im doing good.

I was getting a reading of 1.8 on channel 1 and like 2.8 on channel 40, so I took out one of the washers on the mount hoping it would balance a little more, but as soon as I put the rubber cover back on the tip, I started to get about 2. 3 on channel 1 and 2.9 on channel 40. any ideas how to lower my readings?

and yes, im calibrating my swr meter, but I'm using an external meter since this cobra doesnt have one included in it.