Am I killing my radio?

[Justin]

Im fairly new to CB's, but I did my research.
Because of lack of money and resources (I absolutely can not find a CB shop or somewhere that can get me CB stuff around here) I just recently got myself a Cobra radio and a antenna from Wal-mart.

I mounted it all in, and its working okay (except for horible range 80% of the time).

To the point: I basically just plug-n-played it. I didn't tune my wal-mart antenna and I don't even know if there is a screw on that model antenna to tune it.

So my question is, am I slowly killing my radio? Because if I am, im gonna leave it off till I get myself a SWR tuner. (If I can even find one around here.)

Here is the antenna: never mind, I can't post the pic until I get 2 posts...
a guick google will show you its "Scosche Cb201 Universal Cb Antenna Magnetic Mount"

[Carolina Thunder]

Im fairly new to CB's, but I did my research.
Because of lack of money and resources (I absolutely can not find a CB shop or somewhere that can get me CB stuff around here) I just recently got myself a Cobra radio and a antenna from Wal-mart.

I mounted it all in, and its working okay (except for horible range 80% of the time).

To the point: I basically just plug-n-played it. I didn't tune my wal-mart antenna and I don't even know if there is a screw on that model antenna to tune it.

So my question is, am I slowly killing my radio? Because if I am, im gonna leave it off till I get myself a SWR tuner. (If I can even find one around here.)

Here is the antenna: never mind, I can't post the pic until I get 2 posts...
a guick google will show you its "Scosche Cb201 Universal Cb Antenna Magnetic Mount"

Until you check your SWR you could very well be killing it! Get your SWR under 2.0 and you will be fine. the reason your range sucks is most likely becasue your SWR is super high!

[Justin]

Thanks for the reply,

Oh no! I have had this set up now since the weekend. Do you think I have done much damage?

Also, I have no idea where to get a SWR meter, and even where the screw is (if there is one) on that antenna to tune it!

[WA4GCH]

Thanks for the reply,

Oh no! I have had this set up now since the weekend. Do you think I have done much damage?

Also, I have no idea where to get a SWR meter, and even where the screw is (if there is one) on that antenna to tune it!

DAMAGE IF DONE IS FOREVER .......

Now that said many radios use a protection for SWR that turns down the transmiter it try and not blow the final ..... It dosn't always work .....

SWR meters are sold by every good CB/HAM supplyer try SPARKY, COPPER, AES, HAMRADIO outlet, radioshack and R&L. You don't have to spend a bunch of money many under $25 work just fine I bought one from SPARKY on sale for $15 and it tracks my bird on CB not bad for a cheap meter .....

If your radio has one built in don't trust it .....

[Carolina Thunder]

Thanks for the reply,

Oh no! I have had this set up now since the weekend. Do you think I have done much damage?

Also, I have no idea where to get a SWR meter, and even where the screw is (if there is one) on that antenna to tune it!

If there is no screw then you have to tune the antenna buy clipping off the length of the whip until you get a correct SWR reading. Im going to tell you...the antenna you have is not one of the best and you may be better off going with a wilson mag mount antenna. They are easy to tune and work great and can be had for under $50.00. You can find these on many websites.

[Justin]

I know if the damage is done its forever, but I mean, have I done much damage already? or is it something that will hold out for so long, then just blow and render useless?

Also, that would be fine if we had a radio shack or some sort of CB shop around here, but we don't.

Im on Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia. Specicaly, Sydney

[WA4GCH]

I know if the damage is done its forever, but I mean, have I done much damage already? or is it something that will hold out for so long, then just blow and render useless?

Also, that would be fine if we had a radio shack or some sort of CB shop around here, but we don't.

Im on Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia. Specicaly, Sydney

99% of the time it is TOTALY GONE so if your puting out anything the radio is ok meters are cheap and your friend in the long run .....

[Carolina Thunder]

I know if the damage is done its forever, but I mean, have I done much damage already? or is it something that will hold out for so long, then just blow and render useless?

Also, that would be fine if we had a radio shack or some sort of CB shop around here, but we don't.

Im on Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia. Specicaly, Sydney

Get on line and order a cheap Dosy meter. These things will do just fine and can be had for under $100.00. As far as how much damage you have done odds are if others can hear you then you have not hurt your radio but if you keep talking on it then you may blow the finals in the radio at which point it will become a paper weight!

[Justin]

Get on line and order a cheap Dosy meter. These things will do just fine and can be had for under $100.00. As far as how much damage you have done odds are if others can hear you then you have not hurt your radio but if you keep talking on it then you may blow the finals in the radio at which point it will become a paper weight!

Oh alright. So as long as I can still be heard my radio isn't damaged. Is what your saying right?

Also, if I do order a meter, thats not the problem. The problem is, is finding the tuning screw on that antenna.

[Carolina Thunder]

Oh alright. So as long as I can still be heard my radio isn't damaged. Is what your saying right?

Yes. Now if someone can only hear you if your close then thats not good but if you can be heard a few miles aways then you should be fine.

Also, if I do order a meter, thats not the problem. The problem is, is finding the tuning screw on that antenna.

Look where the whip goes into the base of the antenna,the screw should be there. If not then your going to have a helluva time setting the SWR to where it needs to be.


What kind of car or truck are you putting it on?