Cutting a CB antenna

**Synbios** · 01-15-2007, 11:28 AM

I'm trying to tune my Lil' Will with an SWR meter. I need to cut a couple fractions of an inch off the top, but I can't find a tool to do it.

I've tried wire cutters, tin snips, and a hack saw (can't get it to hold still for this)

Has anyone cut a CB antenna? What tool(s) did you use?

**cyberblob** · 01-15-2007, 01:31 PM

Dremel tool works. Don't you have an adjustable base on the antenna mount. This most of the time is an allen wrench screw to help you get the SWR in check.

**Synbios** · 01-15-2007, 02:34 PM

I do have the adjustable base with allen wrench screw. However, Wilson likes to give you a lot more extra whip then you need. Right now, it's pushed in all the way and I still need to take more off.

I don't know what a Dremel tool is, I'll check it out.

Thanks.

**carter840** · 01-17-2007, 01:38 PM

it is a really small drill and you can attach a cut off wheel to it. It will cut it like butter.

**Telkar** · 01-31-2007, 12:58 PM

Good wire snips will do the job. But yeah, a dremel will work the best.

**proudNMAmember** · 02-01-2007, 06:27 PM

Is the purpose for cutting the antenna to adjust your SWR?

**crazyVOLVOrob** · 02-01-2007, 07:20 PM

Just get the Lil-Wil and use that...If you need an antenna shorter than that you don't need a CB

**Synbios** · 02-01-2007, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by proudNMAmember

Is the purpose for cutting the antenna to adjust your SWR?

proud and crazy:

I do have a Lil' Wil and I'm trying to adjust it's SWR with a meter.

I don't have a dremel tool nor do I plan on buying one. I tried the hack saw again with some help and I did manage to cut it some what. It has a much better SWR but it would be better if I could get it just a smidgen shorter.

**asianfire** · 02-15-2007, 06:29 AM

I have had 3 wilsons, lil wil and 2 1000. Never have I ever had to cut the antenna.

Cutting the antenna could be symptoms of other reasons that your swr is so high. You said that you needed to cut some off of the top, I surely hope that you meant the bottom of the antenna and not the top.

**Synbios** · 02-15-2007, 09:00 PM

Why does it matter? I could easily make the top the bottom or the bottom the top :P

I put the whip all the way into the base and the SWR was still higher on ch 40 than on ch 1 so doesn't that mean I have to cut it?

I looked at the PL-259 connector at the end and the stick part in the middle looks like it's shaved away as if someone dragged it on the ground while driving. Is that going to affect my SWR? It came that way from what I thought was brand new from Wilson, is it supposed to be like that?