New 5' Skipshooter has near perfect SWR

[MadNachos]

Not a complaint but more of a "this seems unusual" thing.

I just received a 5' Skipshooter to use on our old Tacoma when clearance isn't an issue. I normally run a 4' Firestik. Out of the box with the nail all the way down I get a nearly perfect SWR across all chans. I tested the SWR with three different meters and the difference was almost nothing. Seems correct though. I haven't run the linear through it (just a small RM being fed 1.5W) but so far the reception seems excellent.

Are these typically this easy to tune?

 

[Recon]

Not a complaint but more of a "this seems unusual" thing.

I just received a 5' Skipshooter to use on our old Tacoma when clearance isn't an issue. I normally run a 4' Firestik. Out of the box with the nail all the way down I get a nearly perfect SWR across all chans. I tested the SWR with three different meters and the difference was almost nothing. Seems correct though. I haven't run the linear through it (just a small RM being fed 1.5W) but so far the reception seems excellent.

Are these typically this easy to tune?

View attachment 60866

Wow! Good for you!
Considering approximately 1/3 of the antenna is blocked by the truck cap and the SWR is "nearly" perfect on all channels, I'd say it is a miracle. Just for giggles (and curiosity), have you checked the SWR without the spring?

 

[MadNachos]

The cap is fabric so perhaps not a huge block? But it is thick waterproof stuff so I am sure it isn't isn't ideal. I get the higher (but still great) SWR readings with my other antennas that jive with what I measured when I tuned them so I am guessing that this antenna is just an abnormally great match to my setup. About an hour ago the reception was arguably too good!

But...I will check it without the spring and in a more suitable location. The spring is a Firestik HD and I guess it's OK but it seems like it should have a better method of tightening other than hand or channel locks. It is my first spring so I am not sure how it compares to others.

 

[MadNachos]

Tried a simpler experiment. I pulled the nail all the way up and my SWR went up to 1.4 on 40 and was lower on 1 so I guess I got lucky with this antenna. It is a bit long for a 'daily' but since the main reason for CB in that truck is emergencies and farting around it seems perfect.

 

[ForestRunner98]

When I had my Skipshooter I tried it with a spring like yours and it was too “floppy”. It swayed sooo much. I added a Hustler HD barrell spring and did the trick in stabilizing that badboy.

 

[Recon]

When I had my Skipshooter I tried it with a spring like yours and it was too “floppy”. It swayed sooo much. I added a Hustler HD barrell spring and did the trick in stabilizing that badboy.

Hustler SSM3?

 

[MadNachos]

Thanks for the info 917. Where in SoCal? I spent 30 years in Hunt Beach.

 

[ForestRunner98]

Hustler SSM3?

I don’t remember the model but it was stout.

 

[ForestRunner98]

Thanks for the info 917. Where in SoCal? I spent 30 years in Hunt Beach.

Pasadena Ca

 

[MadNachos]

Thanks for the tip on the spring. I will have one tomorrow. But I must say that the idea of driving to Portland and whipping random idiots with a swinging fiberglass pole has a lot of appeal.

 

[Recon]

Thanks for the tip on the spring. I will have one tomorrow. But I must say that the idea of driving to Portland and whipping random idiots with a swinging fiberglass pole has a lot of appeal.

The spring has a hex nut welded on each end to grasp to tighten the antenna.

 

[MadNachos]

I got the SSM-3 from Hustler. Nice spring. Made in Mexico so that's a bonus over China. It feels like it is nearly double the weight of the Firestik 'HD' spring.