First CB

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by KR4Q, Oct 21, 2019.

  1. KR4Q

    KR4Q Bobtail Member

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    Oct 21, 2019
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    I'm in a 2020 Cascadia that has an integrated antenna. Power and coaxil is already installed and right next to the mount and I hooked up the CB in less than a minute so it's really convenient. However my whatever reading is over 3 and apparently that'll kill my new CB (it's a cobra 29LX). I followed the instructions with channels 20, 1 and 40 adjusting swr. All I get is static and an "antenna warning" message on the CB.

    Pretend like you're speaking to a retarded that knows nothing about CB. What am I doing wrong.

    Secondly I can just buy a mount, cable and antenna which I know everyone is going to suggest I do anyway. I have to ground the antenna? Hours of googling lead me here and someone said integrated antenna effect mirror mounted ones. Unfortunately loves won't allow me to return my CB for cash otherwise I'd just say #### it and not use a CB this #### is stupid
     
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  3. wolverine11

    wolverine11 Road Train Member

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    I drove a 2015 and 2016 Cascadia and SWR of 3.0 is about normal with stock antenna and since the antenna can not be adjusted your only other option is to buy own mount, bracket,coax and antenna, would doubt very much you would damage radio with current antenna but range would be limited to 2 to3 miles. There are many after market brackets available and if you look at a website like Walcott CB ( as an example) they already have combination bracket, mounts,coax,and antennas assembled. When I was last in a Cascadia I used the Wilson bracket on drivers side ( need star shape allen wrench set to remove screws) Wilson gum drop mount, RG 58 coax ( wilson) and Pedator 10K with 32'' shaft antenna and SWR was 1.5 and average Tx and Rx range was 8 to 15 miles with Cobra 29 lx or Bearcat 980 radios, both stock, didnt do any additional grounding just put it together and it worked fine.
     
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  4. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    if your truck has 2 antennas, go and buy a pair (in the same package wrap) of Francis antennas.
     
  5. wolverine11

    wolverine11 Road Train Member

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    Also if you are checking SWR with radios built in meter it may, or may not be 100% accurate and the antenna warning light on a Cobra may be set at a threshold of 2.0 so the actual SWR may only be slightly above a 2.0. I have checked SWR in other Cascadias with an external meter and have seen readings between 1.8 to 3.5 so dont trust the built in meter. The total cost to buy the items you need would be around $160.00 and if you had a CB shop install everything it would probably be around $200.00, of course the most expensive item I bought was the antenna and you could reduce cost by $60.00 if you choose to use a 5' fiberglass antenna like a Firestick, which will work good.
     
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  6. slim6596

    slim6596 Medium Load Member

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    20191020_220228.jpg 20191020_224730.jpg
     

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  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I am wondering ... don't you have an extra ticket?
     
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  8. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    I was wondering the same thing when I first read his post, but I decided not to say anything. As far as antenna and swr theory goes, the principal is the same for cb radio as with any other HF radio.
     
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Night, how did you figure that out?

    his 2x1 call?
     
  10. Timin770

    Timin770 Road Train Member

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    There are not many fans of factory coax/antennas on this forum. Just for giggles I'd run a temp set-up of my own coax/antenna and observe the new readings
     
  11. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Gee Whiz, Tony you should already know how to handle thei.
     
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