Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guys does any one know if there is a good way to check if your arail is working properly ive been haveing some problems getting people lately
and i think its my arail.
any ideas.?

Swr meter will help just check all the arial cable connections and makes sure they are clean and tight and your base mount is tight. Failing that take it to a cb shop and they will put a SWR meter on it and diagnose any probs,hope this helps.

If you have a multimeter check for continuity - with the antenna unplugged.

Should have a low resistance circuit (<1 Ohm ) between the plugs outer and ground
Should have a low resistance circuit (<1 Ohm ) between the plugs inner and the antenna driven element ( or its mounting bolt if its insulated )

Should NOT have a circuit between the plugs out and inner.

If that doesn't help - then some expert assistance is required as suggested.

just to make you aware in case you don't know when I went to a 4x4 show the gme sales rep filled me in about db gain the higher it is the longer the range the down side you loose spread he explained it as the football vs pizza theory with the car being in the middle so if your having problems in the hills but not the flat it might be the problem

Thank guys ill check with me multimeter.

Yes metak that's correct.... the higher the gain the flatter the radiation pattern, instead of the transmitted power being directed up as well as out a higher gain antenna tends to flatten the radiation pattern.

Note : the transmitters power output doesn't change - its just "compressed" into a thinner vertical plane giving a greater effective radiating power

On flat country this does generate longer range BUT in hilly country this flat pattern can limit it.

Its a case if "nothing is for free" - so in practice a lower gain antenna may be more useful depending on the terrain you drive

i would just take it too your nearest coms shop, ive had 4 gme's come through the last two weeks with blown pa's, vswr meter will tell you the problem in 1 minute.