Ok, so the weather is finally nice enough for me to sit outside and spend a few minutes tuning my antenna. I take off the rubber cover and tune away. I can get EXCELLENT swr, between 1.0 and 1.5 on all channels (bias towards the lower numbers, who uses 20-40 anyway?).

So then I put the rubber cap back on and test it again: 2.5! I take the rubber off, 1.1, put it back on, 2.5. repeat as necessary while cursing.

For now I am leaving the rubber boot off the end of the antenna, but it seems like there should be a better solution. anybody? bueller?

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Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

Hey jeff, see the following link for more info. Kugellager had the same problem when he was tuning his antenna: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=6013&highlight=tuning Hope this helps.

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Kevin
AD5VG
Just another red Jeep in the world...
L.O.S.T. #KB051963

Jeff I'm suprised I didn't have a problem with mine,just read the link seems that would work,Iguess it depends on mounting area's

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PETE
ADMINISTRATOR
L.O.S.T. 4 LIFE
04 COLUMBIA ED. & 04 SPORT

I like the firestick suggestions for how to make the tip easier to put on/remove:

<i>Once off, you can use an old fly fisherman's trick. To keep their rod sections from sticking together, they use natural oils from their face as a lubricant. The best places are the creases on either side of your nose or on your forehead. Either rub the antenna directly to those areas or get some of your natural oils on your finger(s) and rub it on the top two inches of the antenna. If you're fresh out of the shower and haven't "manufactured" some natural oils, try using some WD-40, silicone or other suitable lubricant. You can reinstall the antenna tip for your initial test and easily remove it during your testing procedure.</i>

it's so hot + humid today I should be able to just dip that thing in sweat and get it to work. Maybe I'll give that another go before giving up on it. In any case, it was working great before I even tuned it, and even when I purposely throw it out of whack it doesn't go above 3:1, so all in all, the antenna mount is a total success! I find it amusing listening to truckers complaining about the 128 traffic every day on the way to work. They seem surprised about it every time!

on an unrelated note, I finally got that brake light fixed. I had to go out and buy a torx set because the ONE size I needed I must have lost. Good news is I got a full set of bits for around $3.

EDIT: just re-tuned with the cap on, I'm down to 1.1, looks great! I call my new antenna mount a complete success

_________________
Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

Good to hear. I am thinking about going to the truck stop and getting a 3' firestik for in town; every time I pull into my covered parking I hit the framework and I'm getting tired of it. I can put both antennas on quick-disconnects and just swap to the longer one when I'm on the trail if I think I need it.

_________________
Kevin
AD5VG
Just another red Jeep in the world...
L.O.S.T. #KB051963