Weird CB Problem

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012.

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  1. Mar 10, 2012 #1
    xFreeWord420x

    xFreeWord420x Light Load Member

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    I have a 1999 Cobra 29 NW ST I just bought brand new.. I have a brand new coax, and was using a junk yard found antenna with clamp mount bracket. The radio was working fine, and getting out about a mile.. Well, I decided to get a 4 ft. 5/8 wave Firestick.. I just installed it today, and now whenever I turn my heat in my truck on High(4), it comes over my #### CB Speaker, but if I have it set on 3, it doesn't.. I really have no idea what could be causing this, because with the little 2 ft. cheap antenna, it didn't happen. I had one guy tell me it is perfectly normal, and another tell me it was a bad ground.

    I personally thought if it was a bad ground, it would have happened with the other antenna also. Your personal opinions, or any advice would be helpful. I have only been driving for a year and a half, and really only messing around with CBs for a couple weeks.

    Thanks,
    Mike.
     
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    #1
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  3. Mar 10, 2012 #2
    rollingradios

    rollingradios Light Load Member

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    Ok, first make sure the plastic washer on the antenna stud is on top of the bracket not bottom, and beveled edge of that washer goes down.
    [​IMG]

    2. If you have not set swr on that antenna, do so, it will help.
    3. It is indeed normal for the CB to pick up electric fan noise, especially on higher levels.
     
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    #2
  4. Mar 10, 2012 #3
    xFreeWord420x

    xFreeWord420x Light Load Member

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    The washer may be my problem. I have it between the antenna, and the female part of the mount. I am not sure how to set SWR.. I checked it, and it seemed to read fine(I think?).. it stays in the green on my meter on my radio. I don't think it was a tuneable antenna?

    *Edit.. Is the tuner underneath the rubber tip? If so, what do I do?
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2012
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    #3
  5. Mar 10, 2012 #4
    rollingradios

    rollingradios Light Load Member

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    Make sure the plastic washer is the first thing touching top surface of the bracket. Then the 1" or so nut, then your antenna screwed into that nut.

    Set radio switch on top left to "CAL". Key the mic and hold it keyed. There's a knob on the far right that says "SWR CAL". While staying keyed adjust that knob so the needle on the meter reaches the little red arrow in the top right corner.
    Set that switch top left now to "SWR", key and hold mic. Whatever that reads on the top line numerals, that is what your swr is. After you're done put that switch back to "S/RF".
    Check that stuff out first and see if everything is where it needs to be.
     
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    #4
  7. Mar 10, 2012 #5
    Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    The screws to tune the Firestik are under the caps...

    Read this... http://www.firestik.com/Meas-SWR.htm ...its a long read, but explains everything.

    Firetstik's are great antennas.

    You may need one of those "noise filters" to reduce the fan buzz, either that or find another place to get power from (I like going directly to the fuse panel...to the same connections that power the fuse panel...with an inline fuse of course)
     
    Ridgerunner665, Mar 10, 2012
    Ridgerunner665, Mar 10, 2012
    #5
  8. Mar 10, 2012 #6
    xFreeWord420x

    xFreeWord420x Light Load Member

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    It's a Model Number KW3.. It says right on the packaging, "Trim to Tune".. I am going to just leave it the way it is lol.. I don't want to break it or anything. I will try the other suggestions.. I eventually am going to buy a tuneable antenna. Are the K30 or K40s good antennas? Or am I better to stick with Firestik? But a tuneable one? Also, will the antenna work fine if Im not willing to cut into it?
     
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    #6
  9. Mar 10, 2012 #7
    rollingradios

    rollingradios Light Load Member

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    Please check the things I suggested before doing anything else. Also if you would, check swr on ch1 and ch40, report back. Same procedure.
     
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    #7
  10. Mar 10, 2012 #8
    Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    High SWR can be hard on the radio...if its high enough it will cause damage.

    K40's are good (thats what I'm using now...just because I found them on sale), but Firestiks are better IMO. (tunable, with screws, not trim to tune)
     
    Ridgerunner665, Mar 10, 2012
    Ridgerunner665, Mar 10, 2012
    #8
  11. Mar 10, 2012 #9
    xFreeWord420x

    xFreeWord420x Light Load Member

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    The truck is in the yard, so I won't be able to check it til monday. So just set it on SWR, and key the mic? and it should be?
     
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    xFreeWord420x, Mar 10, 2012
    #9
  12. Mar 10, 2012 #10
    rollingradios

    rollingradios Light Load Member

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    Yes, after going through the steps I set out above.

    The lower the better but preferably around 1.5 or less
     
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    rollingradios, Mar 10, 2012
    #10
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