Having trouble getting out.

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by LizardMan80, Jul 4, 2018.

  1. LizardMan80

    LizardMan80 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 4, 2018
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    I'm new to cb's, I've had this one for a couple of months. It's a Cobra 29LTD Classic. I have it on a magnetic firestik like antenna. All new. It's in my Cat 525d Skidder. I can't reach out more than 500 yards. That's it. Someone says it's the tractor cause the cab sits on rubber bushings to dampen the noise, causing it to not ground out good. I don't know, but help, please.
     
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
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  3. J Rich

    J Rich Medium Load Member

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    Atlanta Ga
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    Do you have the excess coax coiled together? Mic gain turned up?
     
  4. iron horse 128

    iron horse 128 Bobtail Member

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    New Orleans La
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    What does you SWR look like.
     
  5. LizardMan80

    LizardMan80 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 4, 2018
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  6. LizardMan80

    LizardMan80 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 4, 2018
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    I have maybe 2 foot of coax coiled up. And mic gain at 3/4
     
  7. iron horse 128

    iron horse 128 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 9, 2017
    New Orleans La
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    3.0 on ch 1 and 40?
     
  8. rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

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  9. J Rich

    J Rich Medium Load Member

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    May 28, 2018
    Atlanta Ga
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    Start by uncoiling the coax. See if that helps the swr. Try turning the gain up if people say you're squealing turn the gain back down to 3 o'clock position.
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    You have an issue with common mode current.

    Common mode current

    uncoil the coax, put it in a figure eight if you need to take some up. see what happens and if it improves, then get the antenna tuned to see if that helps - 3:1 is high.

    If you still have issues, then you may have to put a choke on the coax to take out the current on the outside part of the coax.
     
  11. iron horse 128

    iron horse 128 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 9, 2017
    New Orleans La
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    I think you need to get rid of the mag mount and get a different mount that you can ground to the frame. Your chassis is sitting on rubber bushings . So you antenna system isn't properly grounded.
    Don't operate your radio with your swr being that high.
     
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