CB HELP!!! lol

[averagewhiteboy]

Hey guys.

Well, I got a CB for my GP a little while back. But I never really had a whole lotta luck with it. It's a compact Cobra one. The 19 Ultra III. It's got 40 channels and yada yada. I had no problem wiring it or anything, it gets full power. But the antenna I think is my problem. It's a generic Wal-Mart one. It was like 10 bucks. But, I replaced the mast that came on that Wal-Mart base with a normal car antenna because the other one was very flimsy and seemed like it'd fall out. lol. I didn't really test it before doing the switch (it looked real gay too). Is that probably my issue? It worked when I was talking to my firend with the exact same set-up, but he was only a few cars ahead of me on the road. Could it be that I'm fine, but it doesn't get distance that well? I mean, I can't even get anything on 9/19. Let alone the other 38 channels. If it is the antenna, I can replace it. I was looking into either a cobra or a wilson one. Looked like they were 20-30 dollars. I also saw 100 watts, 300 watts, etc. WTF is that? lol.

So regardless, is that my issue, and if so, what's the best way to resolve it? Thanks!!!

 

[1984GP350]

DID U GO ON 19 AND ASK FOR A RADIO CHECK DID ANYONE ANSER IF NOT EITHER NOONE IS ON THE RADIO YOU NEED TO TEST IT WITH SOMEONE U KNOW THAT HAS A CB ALSO THATS THE ONLY WAY YOUR GOING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM ITS MOST LIKELY YOUR ANTENNA

 

[averagewhiteboy]

No, like when my friend and I were screwing around with them, it worked fine. Same channel. He has the same Cobra as I do, and the same antenna. He just kept his stock mast on the antenna base.

I figure it is the antenna though. If so, should I opt for the 300 watter, or will the 100 do just fine? I have no idea how they differ...

 

[1984GP350]

i believe the only difference is the 300 one can hold 300 watts and the 100 one can only hold 100 watts so that one is the weakest but as long as your not running any power such as a linear they will both work the same that just tells u how much power u can send through it ide go for the cheapest one if your not going to be running power

 

[87MonteSS]

You need to set the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) in order to prevent the CB from burning up. If it doesn't have an SWR meter built into the radio you need to find one. The "regular" antennae you put on the base is not meant for CB and will certainly burn it up in no time. You need to put the original mast back on and set the SWR.

 

[averagewhiteboy]

Goddamn. I thought this CB thing was plug and freakin play. lol.

Any CB site that gives you all sorts of info I can refer to???

 

[87MonteSS]

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-cor ... ng/swr.htm

 

[ryanwitski]

I have the same setup as you and kinda have the same problems. I like that model because it fits perfcectly in the ashtray bracket with some small modifications. I don't get a great signal eithier but that's because my antenna is in my smugglers box.(ya ya I know so don't tell me). I just use the cheap walmart antenna too. It has to be the antenna messing up the whole system you have. I'm thinking of going to the one that OPG has. It's the radio antenna and a CBand it's motorized. Plus you don't get that ugly bullwhip CB antenna on the bumper! (man those look bad!)

 

[averagewhiteboy]

I've seen a few nice antennas on cars at my work. Wilson and Cobra ones. I'm gonna get one of those and see if I have any more luck. I'm sure it'll be much improved. And yes, I know what you mean, before I got this CB, I had a blue ashtray from a Monte because mine didn't have anything. But I was so pumped when I could just slip this right in there. It looks so much cleaner!

 

[LedPhoot]

Find a local truckstop and ask if they have a radioman or know where truckers take their radios. They can set you up with an antenna, set the SWRs and even go inside your new radio and fine tune it for max power. It will be well worth your time and money and the only way to get the best result..