Any CB epxerts?

[DannyLlama]

Anyone here know a lot about CB's thats willing to help? I have been trying to troubleshoot mine for over a year with not a lot of luck. I believe something is shorting out my CB signal but can't confirm... Have been to HRO a few times and they have helped me test and purchase new equipment and still no luck.

many thanks

 

[81runner]

Anyone here know a lot about CB's thats willing to help? I have been trying to troubleshoot mine for over a year with not a lot of luck. I believe something is shorting out my CB signal but can't confirm... Have been to HRO a few times and they have helped me test and purchase new equipment and still no luck.

many thanks

What makes you think it's shorting out?

 

[wcjeep]

Very common for people to forget to use the nylon washers. When they do use the nylon washers it's typically in the wrong spot. Simple magnet mount antennas usually produce really low SWR readings. However , mag mount can scratch and/or induce rust.

 

[kyle13]

Have you thought about switching to ham?


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[81runner]

Have you thought about switching to ham?


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Agreed. CQ

 

[DannyLlama]

What makes you think it's shorting out?

I blew my first unit this way actually but not having the washer placed the right way. So i replaced it and I'm not hearing as clearly again. So not sure if this one shorted out as well.

Very common for people to forget to use the nylon washers. When they do use the nylon washers it's typically in the wrong spot. Simple magnet mount antennas usually produce really low SWR readings. However , mag mount can scratch and/or induce rust.

I do have ham radio, I like to have both in an emergency.

Edit - thanks for the input.

 

[04rnr]

Have you thought about switching to ham?


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Oh God here we go. That didn't take long

 

[Soneill]

Very common for people to forget to use the nylon washers. When they do use the nylon washers it's typically in the wrong spot. Simple magnet mount antennas usually produce really low SWR readings. However , mag mount can scratch and/or induce rust.

I did not know this. I just happen to have my CB antenna mount off and realized I have the washer in the wrong spot. Maybe this is why I get shitty signal.

 

[DannyLlama]

I did not know this. I just happen to have my CB antenna mount off and realized I have the washer in the wrong spot. Maybe this is why I get shitty signal.

That will also fry your radio.. thats what I did to my first one. On that note, anyone know how to unfry radios?

 

[Soneill]

That will also fry your radio.. thats what I did to my first one. On that note, anyone know how to unfry radios?

Well shit. How do you know if its fried? I can still recive and transmit, there is just alot of static most of the time.

 

[nevada]

Anyone here know a lot about CB's thats willing to help? I have been trying to troubleshoot mine for over a year with not a lot of luck. I believe something is shorting out my CB signal but can't confirm... Have been to HRO a few times and they have helped me test and purchase new equipment and still no luck.

many thanks

far from an expert, but have been using one for many years.
what exact issue are you having?
and, have you ever set the SWR's with a quality meter, not a built-into-the-unit meter?

 

[DannyLlama]

Well shit. How do you know if its fried? I can still recive and transmit, there is just alot of static most of the time.

You literally have to take out the main unit and have it tested for how much wattage its outputting. Mine was putting out milli watts and its capacity is 5 watts... I just took my new one back in and tested it again to make sure i didnt blow the second one...

Pics:

without any output:

With output:

I'm not an expert but thats what Bob at HRO helped me with.

My older radio wasn't outputting much, my audio was coming in very faint. SO you will transmit and receive but with .5% of the power.

Hope this helps

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Well shit. How do you know if its fried? I can still recive and transmit, there is just alot of static most of the time.

Mine was doing that at one point too. I have my cb radio mounted in the ashtray spot, and I had it tucked back enough that even with a 90 degree coax fitting it was rubbing the a/c behind the dash and over time loosened the cable and it did what you’re describing. I know it’s an obvious thing, but it’s worth double checking. Those connections need to be really tight to work right.

 

[DannyLlama]

far from an expert, but have been using one for many years.
what exact issue are you having?
and, have you ever set the SWR's with a quality meter, not a built-into-the-unit meter?

Checked SWR yesterday. Maybe it's just the nature of CB.

The issue is I can't get more than a mile on my CB when testing it with HRO. In the city that is. Maybe thats normal but I expect at least a couple of miles.

Also, even with the squelch all the way up (or down? i can't remember) i still hear a loud squelch at the end of the transmission.

 

[wcjeep]

What was your SWR readings? Be sure to close the hood and all doors.

Some vehicles need the extra wire off the antenna. Others don't. Not all antennas have the extra wire. Is the antenna mounted to the front or rear of the vehicle?



Some have mentioned Ham radio. Ham is usually a better option. Where I live, the logging companies use CB. CB is a necessity. I also have a Ham license and cell phone booster. On the freeway I typically turn off CB because of the language. While I was in the Navy, my wife and daughter were not.

 

[DannyLlama]

What was your SWR readings? Be sure to close the hood and all doors.

Some vehicles need the extra wire off the antenna. Others don't. Not all antennas have the extra wire. Is the antenna mounted to the front or rear of the vehicle?

Some have mentioned Ham radio. Ham is usually a better option. Where I live, the logging companies use CB. CB is a necessity. I also have a Ham license and cell phone booster. On the freeway I typically turn off CB because of the language. While I was in the Navy, my wife and daughter were not.

Couldn't tell you what my SWR readings were. Wish i would've taken a picture of it.

Which CB unit do you have and how long of a range do you approximate to be getting?

 

[nevada]

Checked SWR yesterday. Maybe it's just the nature of CB.

The issue is I can't get more than a mile on my CB when testing it with HRO. In the city that is. Maybe thats normal but I expect at least a couple of miles.

Also, even with the squelch all the way up (or down? i can't remember) i still hear a loud squelch at the end of the transmission.

the antenna and where its mounted play a big role in how well you can send/receive.
in the city, a mile is probably pretty good. ive gotten less than that many times while in the mtns. ive also gotten many times further than that. if I remember right, cbs are a "line of sight" situation. so anything that is in between will block your signal.


CB Radio Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How far can I reach on my CB?
Once again this is a pretty open question. All things being the same you can expect anywhere between 1 and 15 miles between mobile units. There are all sorts of variables, including terrain, how crowded the channel is, or even types and numbers of buildings around the transmitting/receiving units. Base stations can expect about 5 to 10 miles between base and mobile and 10 to 30 miles between base units.

the squelch thing may just be an issue with your particular radio. not necessarily a problem, just how it is. I know of some that do have a key on/key off noise.

 

[DannyLlama]

Thanks for the info!! I was told that you can add amplifiers to CBs to extend the range but its not legal.

 

[nevada]

Thanks for the info!! I was told that you can add amplifiers to CBs to extend the range but its not legal.

yeah, you can. it just pumps up the power. but, again the antenna plays a big part. if the system is properly tuned, with a quality radio, and antenna, it should work just fine without power adders.


even the cable routing can be a factor in how well it works.

 

[DannyLlama]

yeah, you can. it just pumps up the power. but, again the antenna plays a big part. if the system is properly tuned, with a quality radio, and antenna, it should work just fine without power adders.


even the cable routing can be a factor in how well it works.

Would love for you to take a look, are you local to california?