Well I bought this CB today at walmart
http://www.cobra.com/index.cfm?fusea...category_ID=30


And went to Frys and got a CB antenna... I do not think I am getting good range. I went out on the highway and tried talking to truckers on both 17 and channel 19 and couldn't get anything. Every once in a while I could hear somebody clear, but couldn't seem to get to them. The antenna sits about 14inches higher than the cab and I read the manual and set everything up as I should.

the manual suggests getting a Cobra antenna. The price was the same, but when I bought the antenna I thought the bigger antenna looked cooler and would work better. Should I return it and get the Cobra or what should I try to get it to work better?

Any suggestions please?
Thanks!
Austin

 

When it comes to CB's your running 4 watts AM on the 11 Meter (27 mhz) band, which is about 3/4 of your problem. The other problem could be you SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) is too high and you're feeding the majority of your power right back into your transmitter. Most people don't realize that while they say anything under 3:1 is acceptable, anything over 2:1 an your effective power is only 2 watts, at 3:1 you're down to 1 watt.

If you want a good range, spend the money on a higher gain antenna (it doesn't matter who makes it) and find an SWR metter and spend some quality time tuning that antenna, and make sure that you have a good ground plane (top of your car/truck works best) so that your power is ratiated towards the horizon instead of the sky. Finally, realize that CB is not going to get you more than 3-4 miles mobile (yes I know talking skip can get you a lot farther, but according to the FCC the CB service is limited in contact distance to I belive 80 miles.)

If you really want to start talking some serious distance, might I suggest getting you Amateur Radio License? I currently hold a General Class Ham license and am studying for my Amateur Extra class. I have a radio in my truck that I can talk to the other side of the world on that ratiates about 100 watts and I can legally go upto 1500 (thanks right 1.5K) if need be to make the contact.

Hope my advice helps you solve your problems.

 

kc9jvc, could you elaborate on how to tune you cb and antenna?

 

Assuming that you have an SWR meter that is accurate, what you'll want to do is get the antenna into is installed location and then put the meter inline (calibrate it for your antenna and radio) between the radio and the antenna and transmit on channels both 1 and 40 (low and high frequency range,) and record the results.

If the SWR is higher on channel 40 than on channel 1 (for example 2.4:1 on 40 and 1.8:1 on channel 1) then the antenna is too long and must be shortened. (Do this is tiny increments as it might not take much to get a better match.)

If the SWS is lower on channel 40 than on channel 1 (for example 1.4:1 on 40 and 2.9:1 on channel 1) then the antenna is too short and must be lengthened. (Do this is tiny increments as it might not take much to get a better match.)

Overall, your best goal would be to try and get the readings to be the same on both channels as this will get you the best match possible out of than antenna's charactistics.

Instructions for tuning a CB antenna with a Standing Wave Bridge. SWR Measurement copied from original instruction sheet.[*] ___ Turn the transmitter off. Disconnect the antenna coaxial cable at the transmitter output.[*] ___ Connect the "TRANSM" connector to transmitter output, and "ANT" to antenna connector. A short cable equipped with male connectors on both ends will be required between the transmitter and the meter. (*Note: adapters will have to be bought or fabricated to tune Honda radio antennas.)[*] ___ Set the center switch to "FWD" and rotate the adjusting **** to near minimum position (counter-clockwise).[*] ___ Turn the transmitter on, rotate the adjusting **** for full meter swing.[*] ___ Next, set the switch to "REF". Read the meter scale. The indication will give the SWR reading directly.[*] ___ A perfect matching, viz., 1:1 ratio, in ideal from the theoretical point of view. Adjustments on the transmitter and antenna system should be made so that the SWR is as low as possible. An SWR of 1.5:1 is considered satisfactory, taking into account the line losses and slight mismatching.

* NOTE: Always take readings with transmit lever [PTT switch] depressed.
[/ol]Hope this helps you enjoy your radio's as much as possible, I know learning to tune my antennas helped me greately when I used to run CB's

 

Thanks for the help. I do not know much about CBs!

So how can this be "tuned" exactly? It sounds like I should unscrew and screw in the antenna some till it works good right?
Also how is all my power getting transfered to the transmitter and how can i fix that?

Thanks!!
Austin

 

I got a 100W booster for mine.... illegal as heck but works like a charm.... I regularly talk at least 100 Miles+

 

I just run a 10 meter radio...coupled with decent antenna i get smokin range

 

Sure hope you have a license for that 10 meter radio

 

Spend the money to have it done right,take it to a good C.B. shop.They will hook you up right.

 

That is the best advice I've heard in awhile....

Thanks