Outdoor Adventure USA

OK. Is it hard to tune the antenna? can I get one at radio shack? Is it a one time thing?

It's not too hard. It's more time consuming than hard. Most meters have instructions that come with them.
Yes, I believe radio shack should carry the meters.
When you adjust the antenna, make sure you put the little cap back on the end and close your doors before checking again as you want all conditions to be the same as when you'll be broadcasting. I know it sounds weird, but that's what I've been told. That's what's so time consuming... adjust a little, put the cap back on, close the door, key the mic and check the meter... over and over until it's just right. ...or ya might get lucky and not have to adjust it more that once or twice.
But let me clarify... although it can be tedious process, you should only have to go through this process once.

BlueFJ wrote:It's not too hard. It's more time consuming than hard. Most meters have instructions that come with them.
When you adjust the antenna, make sure you put the little cap back on the end and close your doors before checking again as you want all conditions to be the same as when you'll be broadcasting. That's what's so time consuming... adjust a little, put the cap back on, close the door, key the mic and check the meter... over and over until it's just right. ...or ya might get lucky and not have to adjust it more that once or twice.
But let me clarify... although it can be tedious process, you should only have to go through this process once.

This is correct - as I posted before, many external factors affect the efficiency of the antenna's transmission ability, and tuning under similar conditions will make sure it works where you need it to. It is also best not to tune it when the vehicle is parked right next to a building or other large reflecting structure. Make sure you do very small adjustments each time - you can easily pass over the tuning "sweet spot" by making too large an adjustment trying to save time. The meters they sell at Radio Shack and most on-line stores are in-line style meters, which use the radio's own power to test the antenna circuit, and are OK for tuning to a usable range. More expensive, more precise tuning meters work independently of the radio, and power the circuit for a more accurate result. Either way, if you make any major changes to the outside of your vehicle near the antenna, you should recheck the tuning...

Thanks Larry, I forgot about about making changes to your vehicle part.