I have an Icom 706IIG that I'm running mobile, with a High Sierra Sidekick.  Suddenly, my SWR is high (off the chart), on all HF bands.

What I don't understand is that if it were a grounding issue, why was it tuning before?  I've taken a close look at connections and cables, but nothing's jumping out at me.

If anyone has some specific suggestions on what to check, or what it could be, I'd appreciate it.

FWIW, I noticed there's similar (but not identical) issues posted here:

http://www.eham.net/forums/MobileHam/7327

Thanks.

I have an Icom 706IIG that I'm running mobile, with a High Sierra Sidekick.  Suddenly, my SWR is high (off the chart), on all HF bands.

What I don't understand is that if it were a grounding issue, why was it tuning before?  I've taken a close look at connections and cables, but nothing's jumping out at me.

If anyone has some specific suggestions on what to check, or what it could be, I'd appreciate it.

FWIW, I noticed there's similar (but not identical) issues posted here:

http://www.eham.net/forums/MobileHam/7327

Thanks.

Dennis, I am in the process of getting my MFJ loop on the air.  I can share what I have learned so far.

To do the auto band test, first select auto down until the light goes out.  Then select auto up until the light goes out.  Do not use the slow up/down buttons at all at this point, and do not apply rf.  If the control box does not pass these tests, then there is a problem.

To tune the antenna, you apply rf while the control box tunes the antenna.  When I hear the beep, I stop applying rf, and one of the slow lights comes on.  You can then tweak the swr by applying rf while slow tuning.

In practice, it's hard to read that small meter to see a dip in swr.  I went back and read the reviews on this web site, and followed one of the suggestions.

I found it's easier to tune for maximum motor noise on receive by using the fast buttons.  I do not apply rf.  When I reach maximum noise, I'm done.  I don't bother tweaking, I don't know if it's worth it.

Keep in mind that I am just learning this antenna myself.

I'd recommend trying the self tests before applying rf.

73,
Brian AA1ZH

Wow, that is what I call a fast reply!  The broad search is what I have been doing as a workaround.

Thanks, Mike.

73,
Brian

When I try to search the forums, if I try to search all forums or one specific forum, the search comes back empty.

The second search will work, with one exception.  If I am reading a forum, and want to search that forum only, as described above, the first search comes back empty, but the second search searches all forums, not the specific forum.

Is anyone else seeing this problem?  Is it known?

Thanks.

73,
Brian

I have an Icom 2800H installed in my 1999 Subaru Forester.  I had the radio and antenna professionally installed (I am not a handy guy).

The radio is under the passenger seat.  The control head is on a mount, which is attached on the passenger side of the middle hump.  The mount lets me tilt the control head up/down and left/right.  In practice, I almost never need to adjust it.

I can take and provide pictures if there's any interest.

Sorry, I forgot to add - it's only 12" tall, and is a black cellular look alike.  The cellular look alikes  are now part of the landscape.  It's not even noticed by other people.

I had the same constraints, and I went with a Comet B-10.  It's a dual band (2/440) antenna, no gain on 2M, and 2dB on 440.  In an urban area, I have had good results.