Wasnt sure whether this would be best poster here or LZIR, so apologies if its wrong but seeing as its not an emergency I thought Id play it safe and post here risk getting shouted at!

Anyway, 2 things Im after:

Firstly, anyone in the Somerset area (Im willing to travel, so wont cost you fuel, I'll buy you a pint at your local too to say thanks for letting me borrow it as well!) got an SWR meter I could borrow? Ive just bought a CB and been reading up about needing one to tune the antenna or something like that?

Secondly, grounding. This bit has me all confused. Ive got a pretty solid electrical knowledge, but grounding the antenna mount? If Ive read properly getting a good ground on your mount is vital to getting a good signal/range? This confuses me because from wht I can see the antenna doesnt touch the mount, its held in place by a big lump of plastic so I cant see how/why the mount would need grounding? But seeing as Im totally new to this CB thing I thought Id check before I blow my transciever up.

The antenna came with a gutter mount, now as I own a freelander which doesnt have a gutter, I was wondering, what else could I clamp it on to? I was thinking of attaching it to the brake arm on the back but not sure if thats a suitable grounding point? any other suggestions? Could I drill a hole in the mount and bolt an earthing cable onto it, then bolt it to the rear door or solid metal spare wheel mount? Would I be better off buying a magnetic mount and slapping it on the roof instead?

Thanks chaps!

Get yourself to the Bristol & West show at the weekend and I'm sure someone will sort you out, providing you bring a balaclava for them to wear. You have a Freelander and LZrs have a reputation to think about.

Are you sre you don't mean ground plane?

Go magnetic mount, they work fine.

Unfortunately Im working all weekend, the joys of working in retail! We dont get weekends off! Id love to go to the show though.

Ground plane might be right, Im not quite sure anymore, so many different words for the same bloody part I think Im getting myself mixed up over what exactly I need heh.

If all else fails I will just get a mag mount, I just dont really fancy shelling out more cash if I can bodge it another way Also depends if the roof is steel or aluminium, Ill go throw some magnets at my hippo and see what sticks.

I'll try and find my swr tonight if I can your more than welcome to come up and I'll get it working for you.

That would be very much appreciated mate Ive just gone and stuck a load of magnets to the roof, which is good as I was starting to worry it was an alu roof not steel, Maplins seems to sell the right magnetic mounts for £17, I just dont wanna pay that unless I absolutely have to, especially as the nearest store is bloody exeter and I'm generally too impatient to buy stuff online, I like to buy something and have it NOW rather than when the postie feels like it

i got a swr meter somewhere .......................... im sure ill find it in pikeys 110 somewhere

CPC at Preston have SWR meters on special offer at the moment for under a tenner and if you order on the internet they post for free.... Might be worth buying one.

I have 2 SWR meters one in the 110 and one in the Workshop. Based near stroud though so you're a fair way away.