Updated June 10, 2007
There are so many CB radio performance complaints on the GL1800 regarding range yet very few comments on setting the SWR. If you have not yet minimized your CB radio's SWR, you are not getting the best results your CB can offer.
Sierra Electronics carries all the equipment you need to check and adjust your SWR. They carry the perfect
SWR Meter for $25.00 plus shipping ($35.99 for a similar meter at Radio Shack). In the past the connectors for the GL1800 CB Radio created a part number nightmare to get all the correct connectors and adapters. Thankfully, Sierra Electronics has come to our rescue. You can order a set of
cables for the SWR meter for $12.00 plus shipping. (It used to cost $21.00 for all the parts from Radio Shack).
The total cost (excl. shipping) is $33.00 for the meter and the connectors. The total shipping will run you around $6.50. You can recover most or all of the cost by charging a minimal fee ($5?) to everyone else who uses/borrows it, or just deduct $5.00 or $10.00 from the cost, and then sell the whole outfit to someone else!
If you find that the upper antenna wire is already too short (extremely rare), Radio Shack has a stainless steel replacement that already has a ball-tip. Carry your original upper antenna into the store so they can see what you are looking for. It will run you about $5.00.
To date I have set the SWR on over a dozen GL1800's and all of them enjoyed a very noticeable benefit in output distance and/or clarity. Seriously, going from a 1.4 to a 1.2 makes a noticeable improvement, and going from a 1.5 to a 1.1 makes a world of difference!
All you have to remove to get to the CB antenna line connector is the seat (1800 and 1500). Then connect the meter into the antenna line (note the meter's input and output markings). I rarely use any channels other than 1 and 19, so I split the difference and used channel 10 to set my SWR. If you find that you use the entire spectrum of channels then you of course will want to focus your efforts on channel 20.
Trimming the antenna is not easy, the metal is stronger than most folks realize. Don't expect to be able to cut it with wire cutters. I have used bolt cutters a few times and a dremel cutting tool on a drill once. As you follow the directions that came with the SWR meter, just remember to trim off only about a quarter of inch of the antenna at a time. Its a lot easier to shorten the antenna than it is to make it longer. (how do you think I found out about the replacement SS Whip mentioned above?). Keep everyone away from the antenna while making your measurements. Anybody closer than 3-4 feet from the antenna will mess up your readings. (who knows what effect the passenger has on CB performance!)
Oh, and if you don't know what the heck I mean when I'm talking about SWR, don't worry about it. The instructions that come with the meter tell you how to use it. Just follow the instructions and don't worry too much about the theory and math behind
Standing
Wave
Ratios.
Anyone that wants their SWR adjusted for them is more than welcome to swing by my place. It's as good an excuse for you to ride as any. Of course, someone on the east coast might have a hard time convincing their spouse that the SWR is important enough for a 7,000 mile round trip. But I can always help with explaining it, as long as it's not after the fact.
If any questions come up,
contact me.