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cobra 29 wx nw st help

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by xtrain, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. Apr 17, 2011 #1
    xtrain

    xtrain Bobtail Member

    36
    1
    Mar 7, 2008
    cadillac,mi
    0
    I'm a driver not a cb shop so please help before I just drop a load into a bunch of new stuff I didnt really need.

    equip:
    cobra 29 wx nw st new out of box
    factory whips and coax (far as I know)
    swr/cal set per owner manual
    2007 freightliner columbia

    problem:
    only able to talk to people next to me
    no noaa channels unless in a city

    sqleach opened all way and very little static

    hope this info gets me answers, if need more ask :biggrin_2556:
     
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 17, 2011 #2
    deerslayer1143

    deerslayer1143 Light Load Member

    207
    19
    Mar 15, 2011
    Dubuque, IA
    0
    First thing I can think of is lose the factory crap. Especially the coax. They are notoriously junk in those trucks.
    What is your swr out of curiosity.
     
    deerslayer1143, Apr 17, 2011
    deerslayer1143, Apr 17, 2011
    #2
    xtrain Thanks this.
  4. Apr 17, 2011 #3
    xtrain

    xtrain Bobtail Member

    36
    1
    Mar 7, 2008
    cadillac,mi
    0
    about 1.5 is less than 2
     
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    #3
  5. Apr 17, 2011 #4
    deerslayer1143

    deerslayer1143 Light Load Member

    207
    19
    Mar 15, 2011
    Dubuque, IA
    0
    What is your RF gain knob set at? Are you receiving ok just not able to talk real far?
     
    deerslayer1143, Apr 17, 2011
    deerslayer1143, Apr 17, 2011
    #4
  7. Apr 17, 2011 #5
    xtrain

    xtrain Bobtail Member

    36
    1
    Mar 7, 2008
    cadillac,mi
    0
    gain and dyno is all way clockwise
     
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    #5
  8. Apr 17, 2011 #6
    Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

    1,953
    708
    May 31, 2009
    0
    The antenna will make or break any radio. Not sure how good the antennas you have are now but I'd opt for something like a Wilson 2000. Also run the tallest antenna you possibly can. Height is might. A taller antenna will allow you to hear and transmit better.

    Also keep in mind if the other guy is running a crappy antenna set up, then he may barely hear you and may not be able to talk back to you at all.
     
    Turbo-T, Apr 17, 2011
    Turbo-T, Apr 17, 2011
    #6
    xtrain Thanks this.
  9. Apr 17, 2011 #7
    xtrain

    xtrain Bobtail Member

    36
    1
    Mar 7, 2008
    cadillac,mi
    0
    Ok bought new coaxial at Pilot tonight
    What a differance it made, can go at least a mile without touching antenna.
    Am sure I could use a new antenna to go with but happy with what I have.
    Thanks for the help:biggrin_25514:
     
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    xtrain, Apr 17, 2011
    #7
  10. Apr 17, 2011 #8
    Tricky Rick

    Tricky Rick Light Load Member

    177
    91
    Oct 25, 2010
    Northwest Mississippi
    0
    I have the same radio as you, and the same tractor '07 FL Columbia (mine is a daycab). I bought a Radio Shack set of duals 4 ft. fiberglass antennas and used the co phase coax that came with the set. SWR is near perfect (supposed to be set for a 29 from the factory) Anyway, I used the factory mirror mounts and the box talks/hears 2-8 miles. Weather channel is weak. There are millions of more ways to improve power, but I'm legal for now.
     
    Tricky Rick, Apr 17, 2011
    Tricky Rick, Apr 17, 2011
    #8
  11. Apr 18, 2011 #9
    deerslayer1143

    deerslayer1143 Light Load Member

    207
    19
    Mar 15, 2011
    Dubuque, IA
    0
    Glad it helped...enjoy your new radio!
     
    deerslayer1143, Apr 18, 2011
    deerslayer1143, Apr 18, 2011
    #9
  12. Apr 18, 2011 #10
    Turbo-T

    Turbo-T Road Train Member

    1,953
    708
    May 31, 2009
    0
    One thing I forgot to point out....there has to be a weather station near you for it to work.
     
    Turbo-T, Apr 18, 2011
    Turbo-T, Apr 18, 2011
    #10
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