Cobra 29LTD Army with RFX 75

[Marc63]

I am getting an antenna red light on dead key. I have checked the swr and it is 1.8-2.0. Could this be a cable problem or is it the antenna? The dead key is 17 and swings to 80. I am using this radio as a mobile and have a 3foot firestick ll
tunable. Do I need a ground plane? I am using rg8/u cable. I was going to purchase a Wilson 1000 trunk mount antenna. Radio worked great and just started this problem.

 

[Robb]

I am getting an antenna red light on dead key. I have checked the swr and it is 1.8-2.0. Could this be a cable problem or is it the antenna? The dead key is 17 and swings to 80. I am using this radio as a mobile and have a 3foot firestick ll
tunable. Do I need a ground plane? I am using rg8/u cable. I was going to purchase a Wilson 1000 trunk mount antenna. Radio worked great and just started this problem.

The antenna red light indicator could be out of adjustment/faulty part in the radio. But I tend to doubt it. Get rid of that 3 ft Firestick and get a real antenna. Put a mag mount Wilson 1000 or 5000 on the center/top of your vehicle's roof and adjust it for the lowest SWR on ch 20. Now that sounds like a real plan - IMO.

Short antennas have SWR problems that can cause premature radio failure, and I'm sure that you don't want that.
It's no secret that I dislike having/using short antennas. Got rid of the ones I had. Pain in the butt to tune, and they don't receive/transmit well.

One other point: don't run the RFX wide open. 10 or 12 watt dead key in AM swinging up to 40 or 50 peak will keep it alive and kicking - provided you keep the SWR real low.

 

[Marc63]

Thanks for the reply. I just purchased a Wilson 5000 mag and put it on top of my car. No more red light and the swr is 1.1 1.3. I try not to talk very long because the RFX gets warm but it seems this has helped also. Seems to stay cooler. Probably need a couple of fans. Okay thank you again.