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Problems with CB. Need some advice

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Lynchmob, Dec 12, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Dec 12, 2009 #1
    Lynchmob

    Lynchmob Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2009
    Denver, Colorado
    0
    Hey guys.

    Lately I've been having some CB issues and hope that I can get some thoughts as to what it is. I have a company installed Cobra 18 WX for starters. I'll just lay out the symptoms and see what you all think.


    • I'm having troubles receiving transmission but I can broadcast fine everytime.
    • I often get an intermittent static noise. 3 times a second that sounds like bap bap bap bap bap bap. Even when I turn the squelch all the way up
    • When this happens my transmission bar (Green to Yellow to Red) will pulse from green to yellow.
    • Then suddenly nothing. It will stay on the second green bar and not move, then 5 minutes later, static bap's again.
    I replaced the mic with a new cobra one for $20. Didn't fix the not receiving. When I'm at a stand still it seems to work fine but when I'm rolling is when I have the problems.

    Here's what I'm thinking. Possibly some kind of electrical interference that may be able to be fixed with a CB filter. The antenna's aren't working properly (they are attached ok and aren't damaged). The CB is just faulty and I need a new one.

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
     
    Lynchmob, Dec 12, 2009
    Lynchmob, Dec 12, 2009
    #1
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  3. Dec 12, 2009 #2
    outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

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    The Who's Your State
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    Sounds like interference. What kind of truck is it? What kind of antenna(s) single or dual setup? A cobra 18 is a less than desirable radio, At minimum I would get a cobra 25 or Uniden 68.
     
    outerspacehillbilly, Dec 12, 2009
    outerspacehillbilly, Dec 12, 2009
    #2
  4. Dec 12, 2009 #3
    Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

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    You just said it right there. The Cobra 18 WX is one of the worst radios Cobra has ever came out with. Put it under your tire and roll over it. Then get you a Cobra 25 LTD or a Uniden PC68. Smaller and much better radio than the pos Cobra 18 WX.

    Oh and if you must have the weather bands (nice to have), Cobra does offer a 25 WX which is the same as a 25 LTD with weather. Uniden also makes a PC68LTW...it too is the same as the PC68 I mentioned but it also has weather bands. I personally had a PC68LTW and liked it. Got me one of those Barjan PA horns from a truck stop and hooked it up to the PC68LTW then flipped it on to the PA with the weather going....told folks my truck could talk and give weather reports. :biggrin_2559: Was good for a few grins and giggles.
     
    Turbo-T, Dec 12, 2009
    Turbo-T, Dec 12, 2009
    #3
  5. Dec 12, 2009 #4
    Lynchmob

    Lynchmob Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2009
    Denver, Colorado
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    Well I'm in an 06 Volvo VN 670 with two antenna's. I guess they're just stock antenna's, nothing special. Although I don't know much about them. So from the responses I'm guessing you guys think it's the radio itself?
     
    Lynchmob, Dec 12, 2009
    Lynchmob, Dec 12, 2009
    #4
  7. Dec 12, 2009 #5
    outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

    4,349
    2,430
    May 28, 2009
    The Who's Your State
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    Yeah get online to sparkys cb shack or custom cb radios, just add the appropriate www's and dot coms before and after, and get yourself a cobra 25 or uniden 68 already tuned up and you should be good to go.
     
    outerspacehillbilly, Dec 12, 2009
    outerspacehillbilly, Dec 12, 2009
    #5
  8. Dec 14, 2009 #6
    Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

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    Nov 2, 2009
    Northern California
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    Sparky's work isnt all that great, for what he calls a tuneup you can do yourself...
     
    Flying Dutchman, Dec 14, 2009
    Flying Dutchman, Dec 14, 2009
    #6
  9. Dec 15, 2009 #7
    Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

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    May 31, 2009
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    Yeah maybe if you know what you're doing, have all of the proper equipment to do the tune and have some actual experience, which not that many have.

    Too many truckers swear up and down all ya gotta do is pull out the old pocket knife and turn this pot and that pot and then spread these coils....then before you know it they can't figure out why their "tuned by myself taught to me by big bubba" radio sounds like crap on the airwaves.

    FWIW I have a Sparky tuned radio and I get nothing but compliments.
     
    Turbo-T, Dec 15, 2009
    Turbo-T, Dec 15, 2009
    #7
  10. Dec 19, 2009 #8
    Lynchmob

    Lynchmob Light Load Member

    223
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    Aug 18, 2009
    Denver, Colorado
    0
    Well to dig up this thread once again. I switched out the CB with the same one, but a new one out of the box. It's a tad bit better, but not much. I still get the static like crazy and can't really hear everyone too well. After Christmas I'm going to invest in a Cobra 29LTD. Seeing as it's a company truck, I'm not willing to invest hundreds in new wires and antenna's, so hopefully the new CB fixes the problem. I'm not sure because other company drivers have the exact same setup as I do and don't have the problems I do. I'm going to check out the CB shop at the T/A in Denver when I get close to home.
     
    Lynchmob, Dec 19, 2009
    Lynchmob, Dec 19, 2009
    #8
  11. Dec 25, 2009 #9
    Lynchmob

    Lynchmob Light Load Member

    223
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    Aug 18, 2009
    Denver, Colorado
    0
    Let's beat a dead horse!

    So I just thought of something. I have a Cobra 1575W Inverter installed in my truck There were existing wires coming from the battery but I just realized that I don't have it grounded (will be doing this once I get back to the truck) I didn't have problem prior to installing the inverter. Could this be the issue?
     
    Lynchmob, Dec 25, 2009
    Lynchmob, Dec 25, 2009
    #9
  12. Dec 25, 2009 #10
    Live_Free_or_Die19018

    Live_Free_or_Die19018 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 24, 2009
    Clifton Heights, Pa.
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    FWIW I have a Sparky tuned radio and I get nothing but compliments.
     
    Live_Free_or_Die19018, Dec 25, 2009
    Live_Free_or_Die19018, Dec 25, 2009
    #10
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