Weather conditions play a primary role in highway accidents each year, especially during the winter seasons. To avoid emergencies, you must not violate speed limits and keep update about the weather. There are always chances that extreme weather conditions may affect the health of your CB Antenna & your radio gets stuck.
Stryker radios will suggest “What safety measures you need to apply for the antenna?” Moreover, “How weather abuse can affect antenna performance?” We will not delve deep into complex theory or formulas, just practical information gained from our test results & customers themselves. Yes, we have engineering & practical knowledge, but that is not what you are looking for here. You want to know HOW WHY & WHAT to DO? Some of the points will be very basic to some of you, but in talking to our customers of all levels of experience, we hope you will find them useful and time-saving.
Safety measures you MUST apply
1- Tighten your Connections
If possible try to tighten & seal your connections in a waterproof method. Connections are a very critical area to pay extra attention to. A loose connection anywhere in the transmission line from the radio to your CB Antenna may affect the system’s performance (Transmit & receive). Use the recommended connectors from expert opinion as every wire connector can hold a specific amount of wire. Whenever you replace a connector (single or several times) apply waterproof material or any insulating tape, so chances of water penetration are always less. These may cost few dollars but are worth it. Corrosion is always the real enemy of electrical connections.
2- Securing Mounts
If your setup is very OLD, there will be a chance that corrosion may occur around the clamp which holds a CB antenna. It can damage the Coax cable connection with an antenna. You can fix this problem by adjusting the damaged must area below the clamp. The problem with that technique is it reduced the height of your CB antenna. For this, you can replace your mast. Applying dielectric grease is also another option. These are non-curing silicon compounds used for sealing, protecting & insulating electrical components. During regular driving routines CB antenna continuously faces the pressure in air, so this loose screws & nuts over time. All you need to do is inspect your mounts & tighten any loose nuts & bolts. It will be best if you examine your system after 2 days especially during winter seasons, this will increase life spans of your antenna setup.
3- Coax Cable
COAX cable transfers your signal from CB antenna to radio and vice versa. If your wire is damaged (even slight cuts) you need to wrap your cable with a superior quality waterproof tape. In a case of damaged cable, we suggest you replace it with a new one. Damage part allows water to penetrate into cable where it destroys fine copper shields and this reduces system efficiency.
4- Use Weather Cap
Weather Cap is a must have if you remove your CB antenna from its base time to time. It keeps the rain and road dirt out and the top of your base clean (where the COAX cable is connected). So the chances of rusting are less, these get twists and locks just like the antenna itself. Mostly antenna manufacturing companies stop selling them, but you can also BUY them from any dealer
How can WEATHER ABUSE affect ANTENNA PERFORMANCE?
1- High SWR Problems
In a rainy day, elements of your CB antenna become wet. So there are chances of SWR get changed. The best idea is to check SWR reading, connections, COAX cable and ground connection on the antenna at the beginning of your day and relax till the next day when you start using your setup again. Note that HIGH SWR reading can also BLOW your RADIO.
2- Coil Corrosion
Coil corrosion is always the matter of concern for every antenna user, and it is responsible for BAD transmit & receives the signal. As a result, this leads you to replace your CB antenna. Most coil corrosion comes in the form of pitting. Corrosion may occur as soon as a few weeks after mounting the antenna. Corrosion is due to the exposure to Chloride & fluoride. Chloride is found in SNOW, cleaning agents for vehicles and a small amount of fluoride is present in water & air. The best way to secure your antenna’s coil is to have STRONG LAYER of PROTECTION against it. Moreover, that is what you will find in “Stryker SR-A10 CB Antenna with Double WALL COIL COVER”. Corrosion will stay far away from it where you will find the conventional antenna withering off gradually because of that layer of rust.
Conclusion
Even in 21st-century radio communication cannot be replaced by modern technological gadgets. During winters chances of accidents and emergency are more. Use of radio setup can help many to avoid accidents & emergency. For best reception on your radio, all you need is to take care of your setup. CB antennas are referred to as the heart of the entire system because it will make all the difference on how far you talk. Investing on your antenna always worth it. Stryker keeps in mind the problems users faced during communication, so we design and manufacture top quality products for the affordable budget. Stryker SR-A10 Amateur & CB Antenna is one of our powerful tool for truckers. This antenna is especially to withstand harsh weather abuse. Its COIL is covered with DOUBLE WALL of THERMOPLASTIC, which stops water & snow to antenna inner body. Trust us, this antenna this is as strong as BEAST.
Make Stryker SR-A10 Amateur & CB Antenna the part of your CB system and enjoy the superior connectivity.
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