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Gagh! Is CB radio a science, or a black art?

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by tracyq144, Dec 22, 2011.

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  1. Dec 22, 2011 #1
    tracyq144

    tracyq144 Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2009
    MN
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    I've always (been driving for almost 20 years) just bought a radio at the truckstop, and hooked it up. Some seemed to work good, and some seemed to never work.

    Then I discover this forum, and am totally confused.

    All I want is a radio that will TX/RX on "mostly" CH19 with maybe a bit of extra "oomph".

    I use it mostly as a "tool", and not just to irritate other drivers, i.e., road conditions, etc. 3 years since I had a truck that even needed bear reports (although it's still cool to hear them, when someone has their radio on).

    Always been more interested in RX than TX.

    Just got into a new Int'l Prostar, still have stock coax and antennas.

    I bought a Northstar 300 (3000) (used) and it seems to work fine except that I have to turn the mic gain down to avoid "squeal", and am wondering if turning down the gain on the mike is really turning down the power?
     
    tracyq144, Dec 22, 2011
    tracyq144, Dec 22, 2011
    #1
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  3. Dec 22, 2011 #2
    jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    Republic of Texas
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    No...Turning down the Mic Gain just turns down your modulation...has nothing to do with the Power.

    If the radio has a RF Power knob, that will turn your DK up or down tho...(not to be confused with RF Gain Knob...two different critters)
     
    jessejamesdallas, Dec 22, 2011
    jessejamesdallas, Dec 22, 2011
    #2
    BOOTYMONSTER and cool_breeze_dc Thank this.
  4. Dec 22, 2011 #3
    KE5WDP

    KE5WDP Road Train Member

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    Are you using the talkback?
     
    KE5WDP, Dec 22, 2011
    KE5WDP, Dec 22, 2011
    #3
  5. Dec 24, 2011 #4
    jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    Republic of Texas
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    Black Art????
     
    jessejamesdallas, Dec 24, 2011
    jessejamesdallas, Dec 24, 2011
    #4
  7. Dec 24, 2011 #5
    cadillacdude1975

    cadillacdude1975 Road Train Member

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    Mar 20, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
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    your problem is most likely the stock coax and antenna. poor grounds will result in horrible problems. the first rule with anything electrical is always a good ground. without that, nothing will work correctly.
     
    cadillacdude1975, Dec 24, 2011
    cadillacdude1975, Dec 24, 2011
    #5
  8. Dec 25, 2011 #6
    mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
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    If it's been tuned up by somebody that didn't know what they were doing, that could make it squeal like a pig as well. I've seen them where you had to turn the mic gain down so far to stop the squealing that you killed all your modulation! Haven't driven a Pro Star any newer than an 07, but I'd put a new, good quality coax and different antenna on any new truck. Haven't seen any factory stuff that was any good, at least for very long. (not saying there aren't some, just sayin'.)
     
    mike5511, Dec 25, 2011
    mike5511, Dec 25, 2011
    #6
  9. Dec 25, 2011 #7
    Big_m

    Big_m Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 13, 2009
    Central Maryland
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    Also a broke mic wire could make it squeal like a pig as well.
     
    Big_m, Dec 25, 2011
    Big_m, Dec 25, 2011
    #7
  10. Dec 25, 2011 #8
    cruisecontrol

    cruisecontrol Medium Load Member

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    Apr 13, 2010
    Rockingham, NC
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    Among other meanings, but I'm sure this is what the person meant....
    A figurative term meaning a process that is mysterious or difficult to master or describe.
     
    cruisecontrol, Dec 25, 2011
    cruisecontrol, Dec 25, 2011
    #8
  11. Dec 25, 2011 #9
    kd5drx

    kd5drx <strong>Master of Electronic Communications</stron

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    Nov 28, 2006
    Some where USA
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    You haven't said so i will assume you have talk back in this radio. If so you can hear your self talk when you key the radio. If so and you don't have an external speaker or the external speaker is locate to close to the Microphone this will cause the squeal when the microphone gain is increased to far. This is the first thing i would check before checking the worst case check the simple things first.
     
    kd5drx, Dec 25, 2011
    kd5drx, Dec 25, 2011
    #9
  12. Dec 25, 2011 #10
    gomerpyle

    gomerpyle Bobtail Member

    6
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    Dec 25, 2011
    florida
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    point blank, bring it to a good c.b. shop, not some "ex trucker" c.b. shop who thinks he knows about c.b's. he will bring "his" goodies out to your truck and he will fix you up. if this shop doesnt request to go out to your truck, he is not good. I-75 xit 2 in georgia across frm the flyin hook is good. you cant go wrong with I-75 xit 328 in wildwood, fl. may be pricey there. now if u find one and you never get that way, ask ur dispatch to get u there. i here theres a really good cb shop off of I-90 in new york. google it. u will find it.
     
    gomerpyle, Dec 25, 2011
    gomerpyle, Dec 25, 2011
    #10
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