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I just installed a new 5' Wilson FGT using a new Wilson coax, in a truckstop parking lot. I didn't have much choice in what I bought and the SWR of 3:1+ mandated that I fix something right away. Since everything was factory original and had 7 years and a million miles on it, it was probably time anyways. But back to my question. I used the SWR meter on the radio (148 GTL) to time the antenna. Is this reliable enough?

NO sir it is not you need an swr meter to be sure ...

The built-in SWR meters in most radios are not exactly the best things in the world. The only way I know to find out if yours is reliable is to compare it to the readings you get from an average external SWR meter. That should give you some idea of how 'good' your internal meter is.
Not a very definitive answer, huh? Nope, but it's about all you can do.
- 'Doc

For a parking lot installation YES the meter on the Cobra will get you in the ballpark until you can put an SWR meter on it.

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Closet Biker, CB'er and snooty Ham!!
20 wpm Extra

OK, thanks. Now I have another question.

While messing with the SWR, I could only get it down to 1.6 & 1.9. So I figured that it was going to have to do. Then before cleaning up, I decided to put some nickel anti seize on the stud. I then cleaned up and had dinner. Afterwards I checked it again because I was disappointed in the original readings. Well, I was surprised to find an SWR of 1.1-1.2! ish. ( it's a small meter & hard to read).

So, did the anti seize make a better contact and give me a better SWR? Or was there another factor like a nearby truck moving away?

Thanks.

If that anti-seize stuff made any difference then the connection was really, really bad to start with. I sort of doubt that. I would have to suspect that the surroundings changed, trucks moving, whatever, had more to do with it. Then again, that's just a guess.
- 'Doc

well my guess would be the nearby trucks in your case. make sure ya close your doors when doing this.i know if im rushing i sometimes forget to do this.also check around the truckstops
and find a cheap swr meter. they,ll be fine just for checking swr. for power thier junk.
and they,ll tuck away nicely while your driving.1.1 -1.5 is good for those antennas.
now tell us more details about your install
1,single or duals
2. lenth 2ft 3 ft ect
3 where did ya mount them
ive ran these on my pick ups years ago had good luck with them. just stay BELOW thier power handling capability a little

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BASE-RCI 2950, ts350hdv,st-65dx
MOBILE-ss3900,mm9,636l SE

Just a single antenna. 18' of pre packaged Wilson Coax. Mounted on the stock Freightliner driver side mirror mount. It's on a Mid Roof XT Columbia. The mount is at 102" so with the 5' antenna it's right at 13'6". I don't know what power the radio makes, I bought it from Canyon Radio in Canyonville OR about 1991. All I know that he sold his radios
tuned.