Steel rod antenna

My steel rod antenna is not picking up any transmission the swr is on 1 I have it on a stand in the middle of the garden does it have to be grounded help please.

Hi John,

Can you elaborate on the 'steel rod' you're using as an antenna for us to be able to help you.

(Is this a commercial/purchased unit or a home made affair?)


All the best,
Victor

It's a Thunderpole 5/8 wave cb Radio Aerial 26-30 mhz am/fm/ssb Home base station antenna I got it from Amazon I have it mounted on a aluminium rod should it be a steel one.

Ah, that's made it clearer then John.

I wouldn't go worrying about 'grounding', 'earths' or any other such stuff with that antenna, it should be fine mounted as per the instructions it came with. Should make no difference regards aluminium or steel with the mounting pole either.

Radio activity has been a bit lacklustre everywhere due to a recent solar event over the last couple of days but should be picking up again now. (Most of the Ham bands went quiet apart from the usual kilowatt beam boys!)

It's a case of seeing of what Mother Nature rewards us with most times or what local activity is present.

Stick with it and see how you go but I know that for myself I wanted more radio activity and hence why I went on to gain my Ham licence.


All the best,
Victor

This might give you all a bit of a chuckle. Had made some adjustments to my antenna and was receiving very little for a couple of days, spent all day Friday in loft trying to get anything. Saw Victor's reply, and it all started to make sense, today my waterfall is full of signals.

even down here at Corfu Greece for almost 3 days was everything dead, not even a single interference, it was like no antenna connected ... i was just about to get down the antenna because we had strong winds reached 8 beaufords at a stage & maybe was something wrong with antenna, but did not had time ... since yesterday propagation appeared, so all was ok