CB problems

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by rslivelyjr, Mar 14, 2023.

  1. rslivelyjr

    rslivelyjr Bobtail Member

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    Me and my friend work for the same company. We both drive 2019 model peterbuilt trucks. I believe 379 or 389 long nose if that helps.
    He bought a Galaxy 94HP , had it peaked and tuned. On a dummy load it dead keys 20watts and swings 200watts. He also bought a 4.5ft skip shooter and replaced his coax with a 18ft rg8 50hms .
    Now he has the antenna mounted on the top of the drivers side mirror bar. His swr is nice at 1.1 on 1 and 1.2 on 40.
    He can only get out at least 3-4 miles that’s it. That’s stYing still and driving . Pushing that many watts , should he be getting out further? We live and drive in Alabama , so the terrain is t ideal, but it should be more than 3-4 miles. We have tried everything we know to do. Different antenna, mounting locations . Any advise will help thanks
     
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  3. Timin770

    Timin770 Road Train Member

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    The difficulty in getting radio checks may be a problem. If the radio is getting out 20+ miles maybe the receiving stations don't have the power to get back to him.

    One trick I do is place a voice-activated voice recorder next to my base station and then drive away from the base station, transmitting on my mobile every mile or so. A review of the voice recorder tells the story
     
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  4. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    His problem is probably when he got the radio “Butchered”(Tweak n peaked)by the golden screwdriver. What mic is he using ?
     
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  5. rslivelyjr

    rslivelyjr Bobtail Member

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    Well I’m the other “ear” , like I’ll sit somewhere, or while we are driving , we will be on the phone with each other , and then try radio checks and see if we can hear .
     
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  6. rslivelyjr

    rslivelyjr Bobtail Member

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    Ranger mic
     
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  7. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Those mics for me or my application has always worked best(SRA 198). Who did the butchering on the brand new radio ? Also, that kind of power, your power source should come directly from the battery(wired with a fuse).
     
  8. Timin770

    Timin770 Road Train Member

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    That's a good way to do it. Random radio checks are of dubious value
     
  9. rslivelyjr

    rslivelyjr Bobtail Member

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    He’s running power from the stock wires from the roof mount. He did change the fuse and put a bigger fuse in the slots in the truck . Radio sounds good when you hear him no noise .
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Put the right fuses back in, if it blows than find another way to power the radio.
     
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  11. jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    Want to get out farther?

    Get a longer antenna...4.5' will keep your SWR in check, and get you out a few miles, but to get any real distance your going to need a antenna in the 6 to 7 to 9' range....just no way around it...

    OR...sell the 94HP, and get a Uniden PRO520xl and a 1x2 amp and people 4 States away will be giving him radio-checks...
     
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