advice on my cb set up

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by train1478, Jan 28, 2012.

  1. train1478

    train1478 Bobtail Member

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    For yrs iv ran a cobra 29 with stock sticks but now i want a little more. i now have a general lee p/t. i had a monkey made antenna but was stolen in S.C so now everything from back of box back is from pilot. One antenna out the pass side window 8ft 8min wire an k40 3500 watt antenna. but i have not had the swr checked yet. other than having swr checked what would you recommend?? ground,better cable,different antenna an or external speaker?? any advice is appreciated, thank you for allyour help
     
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  3. Xcis

    Xcis Medium Load Member

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    First, Do not operate your radio until you get the SWR checked. Once you know the SWR reading, then you can decide what to do. Why screw with stuff unless you need to.
     
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  4. DX-trinity

    DX-trinity Light Load Member

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    You only need to worry about grounds if you SWR is above 1.5 after tuning.Most of the time your antennas come too long and need some trimming.
     
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  5. train1478

    train1478 Bobtail Member

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    Just had the SWR checked an its good, only thing the guy at the cb shop said i should of used an 18ft cable instead of 9ft.
     
  6. Bill104

    Bill104 <b>Pepsiholic</b>

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    Thats true you will end up changing to 18ft of coax if you want the lowset swr readings which you do, the coax is part of the antenna system so don,t coil it up ether lay it out the lentgh of your over head, and check swrs or replace cbs often.
     
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  7. jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    If you only have one antenna...and it has a adjustable stinger, thats a load of crap...

    18' of coax is not some magical length...If your SWR is fine at 9' of coax, going to 18' is just a waist of money.

    But if you want to calculate exactly how much coax you really need between the radio and antenna...use this "Coax Calculator"

    http://highfields-arc.co.uk/constructors/olcalcs/coaxcalc.htm
     
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  8. Mad Dog 20/20

    Mad Dog 20/20 Heavy Load Member

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    You beat me to it JJD, I prefer Billy's coax calculator:

    Coax length Calculator ---> Click
     
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  9. DX-trinity

    DX-trinity Light Load Member

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    It not the length that count's it how you use it.:biggrin_25525:
     
  10. Big_m

    Big_m Heavy Load Member

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  11. train1478

    train1478 Bobtail Member

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    Yea im leaving the coax at 9ft i don't really want all the extra wire all over my cab.. i didn't put to much faith in what the guy at the cb shop had to say anyway iv always heard bad things out of that shop. it was the one in w.memphis. But i fig he wasn't touching my radio so shouldn't be a problem. first he came out to the truck n said the antennae was on the wrong side.i ran out the pass side because that door is not used much an i don't lose cell service from drive seat to pass seat so cb shouldn't matter that much either.then he chk the swr real quickly an it was around 1. but instead of trying to lower it he said its good enough an charged me 15 bucks. an as i said i just took that antennae out of the package an stuck it up there.. anyway im thinking now about getting another monkey made antennae there or willson an leaving it alone for a while an maybe later adding a little more power to it.
     
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