Connex CB problems...

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by RobinBuddi, Oct 25, 2011.

  1. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
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    IMHO, I wouldn't mod it at all! I would get a good tune up (the most difficult thing to do) and you should be good to go. I would use a Astatic noise cancelling mic, or a RoadKing 66, these have proven to sound the best, i.e. no background noise and clear. I would check my SWR before I ever keyed up the radio. Most likely I would not use the factory coax because it is pretty junky. If the factory coax checked out O.K. I would probably go ahead and use it, but I would keep a close eye on it and be ready to replace it within a year. When that time came, I would run one good, high quality coax to the drivers side antenna, make sure I have a good SWR and forget the dual antenna thing.
     
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  3. RobinBuddi

    RobinBuddi Bobtail Member

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    Oct 25, 2011
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    Sooo, what exactly does a "good" tune-up consist of?
     
  4. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

    3,142
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    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
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    Awwww, the $64 question. First you have to find a good reputable CB shop with a knowledgeable technician, which is not an easy thing to do, depending on where you live. Then just pay him $40-$60 to convert the radio to 11 meters, align it and tune it and you are set to go. Most shops don't really align the radio correctly because they don't have the right equipment. The Connex comes as a 10 meter radio. That is a ham band. They are easily converted to work on 11 meters, that is CB. But most shops don't have the equipment to re-align the radios to work at peak efficiency on 11 meters. I have seen some that didn't appear to be re-aligned at all, a lot of the shops just do it by ear. I know a very good tech that does it by ear and has for years. He gets pretty close, but I had all my radios re-done by a shop with the proper equipment and that shop improved every one of them. I think he did about 6 different radios for me.
    So find you a good technician and let him do his thing.
     
  5. 269tank

    269tank Bobtail Member

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    Nov 14, 2011
    newton iowa
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    sounds like a cold solder joint to me open up the top of the radio and look to see if any thing is lose in side if so just heat it up with a solder Iron here this stuff all the time
     
  6. RobinBuddi

    RobinBuddi Bobtail Member

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    Oct 25, 2011
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    Hey all!!! Well, I installed a new good quality coax cable (just one) and ran it to the drivers door mirror (not the easiest project) ...got it hooked up to a Francis 5 ft antenna (tilted back some due to truck must go under grain augers frequently).

    It works awesome!!! Guy at local CB shop told me that I would notice a difference between the one Francis antenna versus running two 4 ft Firesticks, ..he was so right!!! Also, he'd advised to select "LOW" rather than HIGH on the RF POWER selecter switch. That was also good advice! I'm using a good Cobra mic, with mic gain set to a little over quarter up (right about @ 10 o'clock).

    I often respond to drivers calling for radio checks, had a few give compliments to the sound of mine. Thanks everyone!!!! You guys rock!!!!!
     
  7. OutLawRadio

    OutLawRadio Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2011
    Texas
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    Sorry to sound to harsh but putting
    glass sticks on a 10 meter warrants
    well deserved heartburn
     
  8. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
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    Realy ?

    I have worked Germany from the car running a 7 foot HAM STICK on 29.600 FM. Maybe your glasssticks they forget to put wire in them ....
     
  9. OutLawRadio

    OutLawRadio Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2011
    Texas
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    FireStick Bruce,F I R E S T I C K :biggrin_2554:
     
  10. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
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    ,F I R E S T I C K IS THE SAME AS A HAMSTICK

    They are helical wound antennas BOTH ARE ......

    I have HAMSTICKS for 75, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6 meters
    FIRESTICKS are HAMSTICKS for CB ......

    Photo .... A Hamstick radial system for 20, 15 and 10 meters on a 12avq vertical
     

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    Last edited: Dec 9, 2011
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