Is anybody else having trouble tuning an external antenna (red line swr readings) connected to the mobile adapter?
1936634
Sounds like you have a short in the antenna wire. Check for continuity between the center wire and the ground shielding on the antenna wire. Most likely if shorted the problem is in the connector where it connects to the radio. Also try a different antenna & wire.
1936635
If your SWR reading was higher on channel 40 than it was on channel 1, then it simply means the antenna is too long. If it was higher on channel 1 than it was on channel 40, it is too short. This is really easy to change if you own a tunable-tip antenna. If you own an antenna like this, you can simply unlock the tip and raise or lower the antenna. Continue tuning until you reach a good ratio. If you own a fiberglass whip antenna, it is a little more difficult. First, you have to remove the tip and cut until you can access the wire coil. If it needs to be shortened, you have to begin cutting in around " increments until it is correct. Now, if it is too long, you have to take the top coil and continue moving it out in slight increments until it is correct. Hope this helps.
1936636
What kind of antenna are you trying to use? I'm using a Firestick CB antenna with a BNC connector going to the radio. No problem. Make sure you have a good coax cable and BNC connector going to your CB antenna. With an SWR meter inline between the antenna and radio, make small adjustments of the total length of the antenna. If SWR starts going up when you lengthen the antenna, go the other way and shorten it. The best way to tune an antenna would be with an MFJ antenna SWR analyzer. Do you know any ham radio operators? A ham (Amateur Radio Operator) could easily tune up your antenna. Good luck What kind of antenna are you trying to use? I'm using a Firestick CB antenna with a BNC connector going to the radio. No problem. Make sure you have a good coax cable and BNC connector going to your CB antenna. With an SWR meter inline between the antenna and radio, make small adjustments of the total length of the antenna. If SWR starts going up when you lengthen the antenna, go the other way and shorten it. The best way to tune an antenna would be with an MFJ antenna SWR analyzer. Do you know any ham radio operators? A ham (Amateur Radio Operator) could easily tune up your antenna. Good luck
1936637
What type of antenna are you using. On my midland magnetic mount it tuned to good SWR. On my Xterra with an antenna on the roof rack I had to add a thicker longer ground wire to the antenna mount.. SWR is related to the antenna more than the radio.
1936638
I didn't have any problems with it. I used a FireStik and pre-terminated coax. Worked great.
1936639
I have a magnetic mount antenna and had trouble tuning this with the Midland. This is, I'm told, due to the radio possibly not be grounded well enough. A rep from K40 suggested connecting a wire to a metal part of the vehicle and the PL256 adaptor. I havnt tried this. Thinking of getting a different antenna that connects to the vehicle, in order to get a better ground.
1936640
If you have a tunable tip antenna go to FireStik.com and check out the TechDocs section. There are illustrations on correct continuity, as well as info on proper grounding and SWR testing. I was able to achieve 1.0 - 1.2 SWR on all channels on my Jeep with only half of the antenna above roofline. I originally had issues my setup due to incorrect grounding, and my SWR was in the red line as well. After fixing the ground I have near perfect SWR. The readings you're experiencing are more likely due to a short, bad ground, or coax issue before an issue with this radio/mobile transceiver. Also maybe try a "no ground plane" antenna if you don't want to deal with grounding. If you have a tunable tip antenna go to FireStik.com and check out the TechDocs section. There are illustrations on correct continuity, as well as info on proper grounding and SWR testing. I was able to achieve 1.0 - 1.2 SWR on all channels on my Jeep with only half of the antenna above roofline. I originally had issues my setup due to incorrect grounding, and my SWR was in the red line as well. After fixing the ground I have near perfect SWR. The readings you're experiencing are more likely due to a short, bad ground, or coax issue before an issue with this radio/mobile transceiver. Also... » Read More If you have a tunable tip antenna go to FireStik.com and check out the TechDocs section. There are illustrations on correct continuity, as well as info on proper grounding and SWR testing. I was able to achieve 1.0 - 1.2 SWR on all channels on my Jeep with only half of the antenna above roofline. I originally had issues my setup due to incorrect grounding, and my SWR was in the red line as well. After fixing the ground I have near perfect SWR. The readings you're experiencing are more likely due to a short, bad ground, or coax issue before an issue with this radio/mobile transceiver. Also maybe try a "no ground plane" antenna if you don't want to deal with grounding. « Show Less
1936641
Try a 27Mz rubber ducky..These Antennas are closley matched to 162Mz.... Reserched.... (wheather channels) This is why the wheather comes in with more clarity..QUOTE}There cute little radios.But not Quite up to par for mobile use 4 watts! Not)Try 60MA! Good for 100 feet!
1936642
My brother is a radio guy. We used a meter with no issues. Of course, I used a metal mount and a flat braided ground wire. The antenna(Firestick) is 50% above the roof of my jeep.
1936643
I don't think you will get any benefit from tuning the antenna for this radio. I did not attempt to tune mine but had trouble with the connector. The threads were so bad that I severed the wire while trying to tighten the connection. I returned the radio for a full refund. I did operate it briefly and tested it against a 15 year old GE 40ch walkie talkie with an external antenna jack. The GE radio performed better in my side-by-side comparison.
2178827
I had the same problem. Was able to buy the adapters cheaply at Radio Shack. I still had issues though with the signal/picture quality coming through the connection being significantly degraded (lots of static).
1906568
I have had the same problem as mentioned by others. I bought it in 2013 and have struggled to tune in local FM stations, even with several different antennas. Nothing seems to work. Any additional suggestions?
722662
i have the same problem... i think the adapter is damage. hope amazon don't refuse to take back or exchange.
619642
The radio requires a F-SMA antenna, so you will need an adapter that has a F-SMA connector on one end and probably a SO-239 connector on the other end (if you are using a normal mobile antenna with a cable). I strongly recommend you get a F-SMA to SO-239 cable (instead of a one-piece connector adapter) because the one-piece connector adapters can put a lot of stress on the HT's connector, and over time, cause you many SWR issues.
131094
I have not had that problem.......but have you checked connections. If not a connection problem and radio plays on right side without static, by deduction it might be internal to the iSimple device. You have my best shot....guess. Good luck. David
1772400
You always need a swr meter when setting up any new antenna! They will tell you that in the tuning instructions that come with the antena
1990776
I had zero issues with mine, definitely remove the radio again and check your antenna connection
875128
Sorry, haven't installed mine yet, been very sick. But please let me know when you do finf out! Mine's going on a Sportsmobile. Having trouble fing the connection to my blue sky ( on drivers side). Anyone with an answer to that question????
37430
Lisa---Mine is doing the same, I downloaded the manual and it means it is a calibration error....in the process of replacing the antenna and the display/brain box...the troublesooting sheet said it was a wire problem or an internal issue.
1088473
Get a better antenna. This one is kinda lame. If you have any sort of hill or building between you and the repeater, you wont get a good signal. I turned my Tram 1185 into a scanner antenna. It works better as a scanner antenna then it did as a mag-mount on my truck. Spend an extra twenty bucks on a 5/8ths wave antenna from a better brand. But to directly answer your question, I would imagine that you might be able to tune this antenna to 164-166. I doubt you could get a flat SWR on it though because I bet it would be too short.
686147
Have you tried removing the antenna? That is about the only thing I can figure might help with that particular model. I have had a similar issue because it picks up some of my local stations and throws me off but without the antenna it seemed a bit better.
2029738
I have not tried connecting it to an external antenna. Mine is connected to a Cradlepoint wireless router.
536747
Seems to me then that the reception may bad where you have the second radio. Alert is turned on. the correct alert area setup. Should work
1578291
Try changing the "channel" (1,2,3) on the charging stand. My dad's did that and I changed the channel and they worked fine.
77344
I have not encountered that problem, but the latest problem I am having is the screen says check antenna. I touch the antenna connection on the back of the unit and then it clears up. Sometimes it happens like every 10 minutes and then other times it goes a while just fine. Its REALLY annoying.
268590
Check your programming. Make sure you have the ir/rf correct and devices assigned to the proper rf ports on the reciever.