CB only getting reception 20 feet or less, no output, help?

Yes

Is this international antenna for a CB radio ?

If not thats your problem ...

 

I would say it could be in the antenna system. Factory coax is some of the worst coax on the market. It's right there with RS coax. And some of there antennas are the same way. Replace them both they don't cost that much. But first make sure to turn Mike gain & RF gain full right.

Also many of the FACTORY Antenna systems on Internationals are for Both CB, and the AM/FM radio. And they come with Dual antennas. And if one is missing or damaged your CB will not work correctly.

 

I don't know jack about CBs but I have this same problem. I checked the SWR (it tells you how in the manual) and it was nearly pegged right. Guess it's supposed to be be below 3, ideally around 1 or so. You could check that and if you have bad results then at least you have something to go on. I plugged my radio into someone else's truck and it worked fine so I know it's not the radio.

 

GASP

Don't run a radio into that bad a load big m is right REPLACE IT ......

 

Something in the antennas/cabling needs replacing/fixing, not the radio itself. Have not found myself near a decent shop lately so until then it sits off. Not that there's that much useful stuff to hear on it anyway.

 

i have the same thing going on and thought it was my radio so let be know what up do to fix

 

Most prostar stock antenna systems are shot from the get go. I single out to a 545 antenna bracket on passenger side . Put 18 ft of coax with amphenol ends and grounds properly soldered. Take a flat braid ground strap from any bracket bolt to the size t40 bolt on the door. The prostars with chrome covers have to popped of temporarily to see the t40. A good 4.5 ft francis antenna works well. Of course you can try more expensive if needed on the antenna. Zip the coax around the mirror and slip into the groove between the door and cab. Thats a fast none permanent fix for your company truck.

 

WHEN YOUR SWR IS 3 OR HIGHER, NEVER OPERATE THE RADIO UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED.
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Kyleplusitunes, do not consider yourself an idiot. You just need a little education that is all. You did do two really smart things. First you checked your SWR reading. Second, you came looking for help. I wish other people did those two steps more often.
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When the SWR meter is pegged, the most likely source of the problem is a faulty ground plane. The large metal surfaces are not interconnected to form a large RF (radio frequency) ground plane. This is not electrically grounding; it is RF grounding. Use short lengths of wire to avoid having the wire act like another antenna.
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I suggest that you check the resistance between the antenna mount and the mounting bolts that connect the door to the top door hinge. This should be zero.
.If not zero, run a ground strap from the antenna mount to the bolts that connect the door to the top of the door hinge.
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Next check the resistance from the antenna mount to the mounting bolt that attach the top of the door hinge to the door frame. This should also be zero.
.If not zero, run a short ground strap from the bolt at the top of the door hinge on the door side to the bolt at the top of the door hinge on the door frame side.
.Recheck your SWR reading.
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If you are running a simple single antenna setup, do NOT use RG59 coax. You should use RG 58 or similar 50 ohm resistance coax cable when you are running only one antenna.
For coax cable, everyone would be better off with a length of coax that is LESS than 18 feet. Enough with the 18 feet of coax myth. 18 feet of RG8 coax delivers 96.04% of the signal from the radio to the antenna. 12 feet of RG58 coax delivers 95.92% of the signal from the radio to the antenna. 18 feet of RG8 delivers 0.12% more signal to the antenna but at twice the price. Besides, if you coil the excess length of coax into a circular loop it will have an inductance value that will affect the tuning of the antenna. You do not require 18 feet of coax and shorter is normally better. If you are using a stock radio without amplification, RG 58 works just fine, costs less and is more flexible and thus easier to route.
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For an antenna, the antenna length should be at least 4 feet long when used on a large truck. Personally, I prefer 4 1/2 to 6 feet in length. But, you need to watch your overhead clearances. Certainly the 4 1/2 foot long Francis model CB25 antenna is a good choice and relatively inexpensive. A Firestick 4 foot, or better yet a 5 foot, antenna would also be a good and inexpensive choice.