<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by troth:
It's my understanding that SWR is to be checked with the antenna, coax wire, and CB all mounted. Then the antenna (or radio) can be tuned. I also understood that excess coax should be coiled in a circle about 8" dia. or larger, not bundled like clothesline...
Good luck Ron.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes!
I think the advice to check the SWR is sound. Also be sure you have a good ground for the radio and clean & tight coax connections.
About coiling up the coax - this gets pretty complicated but it really shouldn't have any effect on the transmitter-antenna match in most cases. In some antenna matching situations a coil of so many turns of coax is actually used to match the antenna impedance to the transmitter but I believe all of these are usually installed at the antenna end and only for certain antenna designs. With all of the ham antennas I built and played with, I never was concerned with how the excess coax was stowed.