If I break off one of the two antennas will it prevent the radio from transmitting?

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by while parked, Jan 4, 2020.

  1. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    Well the others are correct that you can damage the radio with an antenna missing on a dual antenna system. But you won’t hurt it by just keying the mic for a few seconds for testing purposes.


    I’m sure the regular driver of the truck will notice the missing antenna, and if he doesn’t he should be told about it. Just buy the same antenna and install it on the mount. Should take a 7/16 and 1/2 inch wrenches I believe.

    Unfortunately after you replace an antenna, the new antenna needs to be matched (also called tuned by some people) to the radio. You use an external SWR meter to do this. The internal swr meter built into the radio isn’t very accurate.
     
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  3. double_r

    double_r Heavy Load Member

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    According to our shop at the DC, CB is on the right, AM/FM is on the left on the Volvos. .
     
    while parked and Timin770 Thank this.
  4. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    That would make sense since the OP said he was trying to back into a tight spot when his antenna hit a tree. I knew that was why Ridge was asking what kind of truck he was talking about, since some trucks use a splitter. Without all the details and info, it’s really tough to help someone who doesn’t know much about cb radios over a forum. Plus I was following some other forum members lead in thinking he was talking about the dual co-phase cb antenna system.
    Which it maybe only a single cb antenna system.
     
  5. while parked

    while parked Bobtail Member

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    I posted a comment earlier from my phone but it didn't seem to go through. So I will repost.

    I went there today and swapped out antennas. It didn't make a difference with regard to the mic. The needle still doesn't move when I key the mic even with an antenna in place. Also swapped out the mics and the needle still didn't move. So maybe the radio doesn't work, and me breaking off the antenna had nothing to do with my radio not transmitting.
     
  6. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    Unfortunately, it sounds like the problem is in the radio itself. Too bad you had to learn about CB radios through the school of hard knocks.
     
  7. Big Russ donstartnofuss

    Big Russ donstartnofuss Bobtail Member

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    In my experience, the Right side antenna is connected to the am FM radio, left to the CB, unless you installed them yourself and ran a splitter! Dunno if this helps, Good luck, Driver!
     
  8. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Think of it like this....You walk ik now then someone chop a leg off.....
     
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