Does cb radio need to be grounded

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Newdriver85, Nov 11, 2013.

  1. Newdriver85

    Newdriver85 Light Load Member

    59
    24
    Mar 22, 2013
    Philadelphia pa
    0
    So I'm new and this is a easy answer for most of you guys probably. I got my first cb radio. I plugged it in. I can hear people. But I can seem to broadcast. I have the antenna just sitting on the roof it's fiberglass. I've been reading it needs to be grounded. If I sit it on some metal will that work or should I leave the antenna there and run some wire to somewhere to ground it ?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Skunk_Truck_2590

    Skunk_Truck_2590 Road Train Member

    2,093
    683
    Feb 16, 2007
    Stonewall, LA.
    0
    Hmmm. Never heard of a radio right out of the box that didn't ground properly on the supplied power terminals which will either be built into the dash or two wires in the overhead console which are simple to hook up. Only thing needing a better ground would be more complex setups like a linear which most companies and manufactures forbid due to warranty issues from the damage they can cause if not wired in and used properly plus they are illegal. More so it sounds like your antenna(s)/SWR are out of tune. Try adjusting per the manufactures instructions or let a CB shop handle it and have them school you on how to adjust and use it properly. This will come with a cost. Normally very cheap for a basic peak and tweak tune where they can hook it up and run diagnostics to detect if the radio itself has a factory fault or not then he'll move on to your coax to see if it is any good and a good portion of the time this is where the problem lies with cheap, crappy coax cables that have corroded, broken or gotten water in them. I'm no expert on the subject by no means but just some of the basic trouble shooting methods and who to seek for help.
     
  4. Newdriver85

    Newdriver85 Light Load Member

    59
    24
    Mar 22, 2013
    Philadelphia pa
    0
    I was thinking about stopping by a cb shop. Think ill just walk up and ask them. I have no clue ha. Thanks.
     
  5. chopper103in

    chopper103in Road Train Member

    2,407
    6,562
    Apr 11, 2010
    Crossville,Tn
    0
    the antenna needs to be grounded to work properly
     
  6. Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

    1,953
    702
    May 31, 2009
    0
    First off your antenna needs metal underneath it to form what is known as a ground plane. Otherwise, yes you will not get your signal out very far, and you may possibly end up damaging your radio if you stayed keyed up too long due to high SWR. Fiberglass does not work as a ground plane.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.