UHF Antenna Installation

Define "really close"

PATROL GU VI

try looking at the end of the coax to see whether or not the sheild (the metal part under the outer coating) is touching the centre of the cable.this wiil stop you transmitting especially to any distance.roll it back over the cable.

ps; dont transmit on your radio untill you check this out otherwise you will short out the inside of your set,cheers.

G'day Patrol

Where did you buy your unit ?? I recently bought a GME unit and it came with both ends of the aerial were factory finished, with only the need to screw the connections together, at unit end and the antenna.

As for who did the install, if it was someone like "strathfield car radios" don't assume they know what they are doing. They are the masters of "twist & tape". I'd be checking the install of your MP3 as well

Donks

This style of antenna is easily stuffed. The co-ax cable comes out the bottom of the mounting and is vulnerable. If the antenna has been stored on its end with the mounting thread resting on the co-ax, this can damage the co-ax. I have seen them stored this way in shops instead of being hung up. Customers pick them up, look at them and drop them back into the bins. Each time they do that the co-ax gets hammered by the mounting thread. I have seen them so badly damaged that there would be a short between the centre conductor and the braid. Even if there is no short, the cable is so badly damaged that it will affect the performance of the cable. Even if the antenna is stored on a hook they get dropped when customers (and staff) handle them, before purchasing them check that the co-ax has not been damaged.

Visually check the cable (particularly at the bottom of the mounting) to see if the cable has been kinked or squashed. Remove the the plug from the radio and the whip from base and do the following checks with a multi meter:
1. Check if there is continuity between the body of the plug and the long tube on the mounting.
2. Check if there is continuity the centre pin of the plug and the thread the antenna whip screws onto.
3. Check that there is no short circuit between the plug body and the centre pin.

PeterD