We have installed a Cobra CB with a 4' Firestik tunable antenna. We are reading that we need ot use an SWR meter to tune the antenna correctly. Has anybody else done an install with one of these antennas? Is this step truly necessary? Where is the best place to get an SWR meter?

Best place to get it tuned is Apollo on the NW corner of 43rd and Northern. $10
Or $20 for the meter but it can be tricky

It's not absolutely necessary, but it's worth the extra investment to have one laying around in the event you need to tune it yourself (or you want to learn how). I tuned my Cobra/Wilson 1000 set-up myself using a meter and it was pretty straight forward, so don't be intimidated by it.

If you don't know what your readings are you could blow the finals out of your radio the lower the numbers the farther it will transmitt and recieve.....