Ask the Antenna Doctor

Ask the Antenna Doctor is our monthly segment addressing your questions about Wilson. You may submit your question with the form to the right for consideration.

What is SWR?

-B. Lewis
Birmingham, ALMr. Lewis,

The key to getting a clear signal out of your radio is to get the proper SWR. Standing Wave Ratio, better known as SWR, measures how efficiently your antenna system emits the power available from your radio.

Inferior antenna systems, bad ground connections, and faulty components can lead to inadequate SWR, ultimately leading to poor radio performance.

With the right antenna system and proper setting of your SWR, you will get the most out of your radio. For more information on how to properly set your SWR with a Wilson Antenna, click here.

-Antenna Doctor

I have a 2006 dodge ram 1500 and I have a Wilson little wil magnet mount and I was having problems cause I ran the wire trough the light and now when it rains I will get water in my cab so I found out that it is coming in through the light. Is there a way to prevent that from happening?

-J. Radgowski
Northport, NYMr. Radgowski,

First try silicon sealant or a grommet. Let us know how it works out!

-Antenna Doctor

With your new website I no longer see the short load antenna. I just got one but misplaced the instructions. Can you please send me the tuning instructions for it.
Thanks,
RonRon,

It is very easy to tune. Loosen the set screw. Slide the whip up or down. In some cases you may need to trim the top whip.

-Antenna Doctor

I have a wilson 5000 rooftop installed. If I tighten it snug, the SWR is off. If I loosen the antenna 1/4-1/2 turn, every thing is within normal limits, however I can't receive as well. Could this be related to the grounding or lack of a good ground on the roof?

D. StuartMr. Stuart

It may be a ground issue. It sounds more like a connector to me.

-Antenna Doctor

I'm having an issue where the calibrate meter will not go up to set when I key. So, I can not tune the system. The wilson 1000 is mounted on a bracket that is mounted to a tool box. I also connected a ground cable to the bottom of the antenna mount to the frame of the vehicle with about a 6ft wire. Any suggestions?

C. BonifayMr. Bonifay,

I believe you have a ground plane issue or the coil may be too close to the cab. Let us know if you have any luck.

-Antenna Doctor

I would like to know what the difference is between the Truck mount and rooftop mount . I currently use a midland antenna but its weak.I own a 04 Gmc canyon and saw 3 mounting options for the Wilson 5000.The magnet mount seems the obvious bet but I'm curious how the other 2 work before I purchase.

R. RichMr. Rich,

Rooftop mounts require you to drill a 5/8" hole. The trunk mounts use 2 set screws.

-Antenna Doctor

Will a wilson 2000 trucker antenna work in a firestik bedside stake pocket mount?Yes it will as long as it has a 3/8"X24 thread.

-Antenna Doctor

I have a new 29 Classic Cobra and Wilson 2000 Trucker with a 5 inch shaft. My question is when I check the swr am I supposed to key the mike and hold it in to calibrate and set the antenna height. I have been holding in the button on the mike. I have reduced the height of the antenna by 1 1/2 inches because of the way I have been doing it. How should I go about doing it? Keying the mike while calibrating is not the way to do it I think.Key the mike and set calibrate then switch to SWR for your readings.

-Antenna Doctor

Can i get a 4 ft fiberglass ant
to fit my Wilson 1000 base?

J. BrunsonMr. Brunson,

Yes you can buy the mag bases as well as other components.

-Antenna Doctor

I haul in alot of rual areas and my antenna get hit alot if I use a 48 inch antenna. I need the 48 inch antenna to keep my swr in range. Could I use a higher wattage antenna that isnt as long to get a lower swr?I would stay with 48". Maybe try a base load with a stainless whip.

-Antenna Doctor

My swr is 1.3 with the 1000 mag mount with a ranger 63ffc4 radio. Is that a good reading?

B. HopkinsMr. Hopkins,

Yes. 1.3 is a good reading!

-Antenna Doctor

Can a Wilson 2000 with a 10 shaft work with a magnet mount with a 3/8'' thread?

M. SmithMr. Smith,

The T-2000 should not be used with a magnet.

-Antenna Doctor

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