My radio was fine until I switched trucks!

[Homeboy]

My radio worked perfectly in a 07 freightshaker, but when I put it in a Mack it went haywire. No reception, barely able to get out there and talk. Also, my SWR warning light started blinking. What happened? Any help? Thanks. Oh yeah. It shocks me through the mic when I key it up. I am confused

[Scarecrow03]

Originally Posted by Homeboy

My radio worked perfectly in a 07 freightshaker, but when I put it in a Mack it went haywire. No reception, barely able to get out there and talk. Also, my SWR warning light started blinking. What happened? Any help? Thanks. Oh yeah. It shocks me through the mic when I key it up. I am confused

A buddy of mine had the same problems when he switched to a Mack Vision. I gave him the inline noise filter I had bought at a CB shop and it worked fine. He bought one and fixed the problem.

Here's a similar product to the one I bought:

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

[thetez]

maybe im completely wrong theirs something about macks that screw around with radios, but it just sounds like a bad SWR .... do you know how to check it?

about the shocking thing... i dunno... horrible ground? hope somebody else knows....

[Homeboy]

Originally Posted by thetez

maybe im completely wrong theirs something about macks that screw around with radios, but it just sounds like a bad SWR .... do you know how to check it?

about the shocking thing... i dunno... horrible ground? hope somebody else knows....

No I don't know how to check it. I am a complete buffoon when it comes to radio's. I know ( or thought I did) how to install one, the basics, but other than that I am the CB shop's best friend.

[Burky]

Run a dedicated ground wire down to one of the door hinge bolts from the back of the radio. A lot of times, a change from one truck to another means you sacrifice the quality of the grounding in the system. i always run a separate dedicated ground wire. Standard automotive type wire, 14-16 gauge ought to do the trick.

[thetez]

as well as the grounding, it sounds like your antennas are just poorly tuned. a vehicles cb antenna has to be tuned to the vehicle you are putting it on. it could be bad positioning as well as too short/long for the vehicle... it isnt all that hard to tune, unless something major has happened. well first things... to even check your SWR you need an SWR meter [or one built into the radio] Let me know if your radio has one, or what type of radio you have. where the antenna is mounted as well.

[Homeboy]

Originally Posted by Burky

Run a dedicated ground wire down to one of the door hinge bolts from the back of the radio. A lot of times, a change from one truck to another means you sacrifice the quality of the grounding in the system. i always run a separate dedicated ground wire. Standard automotive type wire, 14-16 gauge ought to do the trick.

AWESOME!! It worked, Burky! Now I can yak with the rest of them.
Thanks for your help

[thetez]

glad to hear the grounding wire worked. but you also want to get that SWR checked when you get a chance... a high SWR can fry your radio. if you notice your not talking very far... maybe half a mile ... you should deff get that checked out before you fry the radio. Enjoy. and good luck

[wc5b]

Yes, the Macks have terrible grounds. Also, as a ham, our equipment is VERY sensitive. I also found that SWR and signal tx and rx was better when I had the antennas at a 45 instead of up and down (at a 90) on the Mack. In the Frieghtliner, it was not a problem to run it at a 90.

[Homeboy]

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it. As for now, all seems to be well as far as transmit distance, etc. Thanks to all.