cb question

If the red light is on, don't transmit.

ALSO Don't bother getting another radio until you get an antenna that works. It sounds like there are issues with the antenna and coax so start there.

Another radio won't help, you have a good one there now.

 

Okay original poster, let us start at the beginning before you go buying and replacing stuff.
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.Step 1: Using an external SWR meter and not the meter in the radio, have someone determine the standing wave ratio(SWR) for your setup.
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.Step 2: have a REPUTABLE tech check the output of your radio. If you are only getting out a half mile it is possible that the final amplification section (Finals) of your radio are blown.

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.Then come back here and give us the information. Does your radio have blown finals? What is the SWR reading?

 

If the finals of the radio were blown, he wouldn't be getting out at all.

If what the OP means is the SWR light comes on, then you have a possible SWR issue.

I suggest getting an ohm meter, check your coax (with it not plugged into anything) and verify there's no continuity between the center coax prong and the knurled connector on the ends of the coax. If you have continuity, it means the coax is shorted.

Then check for continuity on both ends of the coax on the center leads. You want continuity here. No continuity = open coax. Do the same for both knurled ends of the coax.

Now check your antenna mount as it is on the truck and verify there's no continuity between the center post and the outer metal. Remember if there is continuity, you have a short.

If all checks good, next question....is the truck fiberglass? Because CB antennas need metal under them to bounce the signal off of and fiberglass doesn't do this, but it will make your SWR go up.

 

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.Wrong Turbo-T. If the finals were blown, there would still be a signal; however, it would not be amplified to approximately 4 watts. Thus with blown finals he would be getting very short range ie. half mile. The rest of your post is rather good.

 

Please explain this one.

 

If your final amplification section is blown, or more accurately damaged, the signal is not eliminated. The signal still exists just at the pre-amplified power level. Thus you can still transmit; but, at a very much reduced range. When the original poster stated 1/2 mile range, this could be a plauable explanation. That and the OP apparently did not check their SWR readings before using the radio.
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.Note to new users: Excessive SWR readings on an external meter, 3.0 or higher, can cause the final amplification section [finals] to be damaged fairly quickly. It is highly suggested that you check your SWR readings using an external SWR meter before you start using your radio setup.