CB newbie needs help

first off, that CB is junk in my opinion. Ive not seen many that like it and gotten decent results from it. Personally, get rid of it as it isnt even worth trying to configure it as it doesnt even have a decent mic gain knob to turn your transmit volume up. You can start off with an ok starter CB like a Cobra 29LTD. They arent the best, but they arent all that bad. with a little extra, and a decent CB guy you can put an RFX75 mod on it and get some good range, and a larger final in it and get some nice transmit range as well. Use amazon and get a decent CB from there, stay clear of the truck stop CB sales as they are always over priced. Look for the CB shop thread and get an idea of decent shops.

 

Here is what I would do, find someone to properly align the entire radio back to factory specs, have them install a good mic on it and use it. Nothing is really wrong with the radio if it is tuned up right. The tin can sound is the mic, maybe been banged around a few times in a truck or dropped on the ground.

As for the squelch and RF gain, turn the squelch down till you hear sound and the RF gain all the way up to you hear all of it.

Also don't think for a minute that people can't hear you, they can but may not want to answer a radio check, this isn't the 70's.

 

I concur with Ridgeline. That radio is decent for an "almost-no-frills" radio. It's capable of legal limit output, the receiver works decently, and having that RF Gain control can help save your radio (or at least your sanity) in an area with lots of high powered radios, like a truck stop.
Because of its age, it's worth having a proper factory-style alignment done on it and making sure it's working like it should.
Nearly any mobile radio can benefit from a microphone upgrade; some need at "power mic" in order to make sure the average modulation (how "loud" you sound), and some need a noise cancelling microphone to keep the noise from a noisy truck cab out of your transmissions.

But keep in mind that the biggest single factor in how efficiently your radio works, on both transmit AND receive, is the antenna system you've got the radio plugged into. General factors for antennas are: as tall (long) as will fit, as high as you can get it, and with the best counterpoise ("ground plane") adjacent to where the coax fastens to the antenna. This forum is rife with suggestions about antenna choices and principles of operation, but simply put, an 8-foot CB antenna will work better than anything shorter, given the same mounting position. However, a 3-foot loaded antenna mounted on the center of a metal roof may be better than a 5-footer mounted low on a bumper.

As Ridgeline suggested, find a legitimate shop to check your radio, and look for antenna hints at k0bg.com. The title page says "for Amateur Radio operators" but radio signals are radio signals, so don't let the title throw you.

It's great to hear that we've got another CB'er on the air. There will be as much to learn as you're willing to spend the time on, and some of the best minds in the hobby are right here on this forum.

OTOH, don't take anything you hear here as gospel. Opinions are as common as.......well, you've probably heard the comparison

73

 

Uhhmmm the Uniden Pro 520 XL DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A MIC GAIN KNOB ON IT!

I happen to have a Uniden Pro 520 XL on my bench right now I've been tinkering with. I have a 575-M6 mic hooked up to it, as well as a Palomar 250 and I run all of that into a Terlin Outbacker with the tip about 10 feet in the air.

Today on channel 21 I made a contact in Georgia, then on 28 I made a few more contacts in Ohio. And that was in the middle of a heavy skip cycle. Mind you I probably didn't even have more than 60 watts of true power going out.

So yes the Pro 520 XL isn't the best radio, but I wouldn't call it a junk radio....of course if you really think it's junk I'll be glad to take it off your hands.

The Big Cooler, what mic does your 520 have? If it's an Astatic 636L, it wouldn't surprise me why someone would say it sounded like your voice was tinny. As mentioned I run a 575-M6 on mine - they're out of production now but if you find one they're worth it. They make you have a very boomy audio.

As for where to set the squelch and RF gain, I usually run the RF gain all the way up, and set the squelch until the radio no longer hisses. Also make sure your ANL is on unless you like listening to electrical static.

 

Can anyone explain how a mic gain knob works?

I know but I want to see if you all get what it really does.

 

Astatic 636. It can be had any where from 35 to 50 dollars.

Also a Cobra 29LTD Classic can be had for about 107 dollars. So an investment of less then 160 can get you a good radio and mic. Always best to start off right IMO.