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very low tx meter

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by timberghost, May 23, 2007.

  1. May 23, 2007 #1
    timberghost

    timberghost Bobtail Member

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    May 23, 2007
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    hello folks, i have a cobra 25 ltd. new 18' cable. 3' k40 ant,, today i ran a 10g copper wire from the frame to the mount, when i key up the mic my needle only goes up half way of the meter and i dont think im getting out far at all, if any.. what can i try to fix this problem? many thanks
     
    timberghost, May 23, 2007
    timberghost, May 23, 2007
    #1
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  3. May 23, 2007 #2
    TruckerLlew

    TruckerLlew Medium Load Member

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    Jun 30, 2006
    Oklahoma
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    Your problem could be an antenna SWR problem.

    I would get a "SWR/Watt meter" and check what your SWR is then I would check what power your radio is putting out. Out of the box, it should be 4 watts transmit/7 watts audio. The meter should "swing" a bit when you talk. Your SWR should be at 1.5 or less. ALways make sure you check the SWR BEFORE you check the power as a high SWR can give false readings on your meter!

    I would buy an SWR/wattmeter from FlyingJ or Radio Shack and get a 3 foot piece of coax and check it myself.

    If your SWR reads more then 1.5:1 then you may need to tune the antenna. Check both ch40 and ch1 SWR readings. If Ch1 is high SWR and ch40 is low, then you need to lengthen the whip a bit. Slide the whip out of the base about a quarter inch and recheck. Repeat until desired SWR is achieved. If the SWR is low on ch1 and high on ch40, then you need to SHORTEN the whip a bit. once again go at quarter inch until SWR is 1.5:1 or less.

    After you get the SWR down and the Watt meter swings 4/7, then you can either leave it alone or get it peaked which will void the warranty on the radio and be illegal to boot...not that anyone will do anything about reporting you to the FCC.

    If the SWR is low and the power is way below 4 watts, then you may have a bad radio. Either return it or get it worked on...voiding the warranty if you get it worked on.

    You can try going to a CB shop and ask them for a SWR meter to check your antenna, they will probably try to sell you on getting the radio turned up or improving your antenna or whatever. Anything to make a buck. I wouldn't trust most of them as far as I could throw them.
     
    TruckerLlew, May 23, 2007
    TruckerLlew, May 23, 2007
    #2
  4. May 23, 2007 #3
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    Radios can be sent in under warranty, if it is the radio, it might be the antenna, or the coax. I had an intermittent ground on mine and sometimes it was very poor, the next time it would get out good. I used a dielectric penetrating oil on the door hinges, then a mirror mount broke and it fizzled again, but it's working good now that the mirror mount is solid again. Some vendors will exchange radios, but not all radios, and not all vendors.
     
    25(2)+2, May 23, 2007
    25(2)+2, May 23, 2007
    #3
  5. May 23, 2007 #4
    timberghost

    timberghost Bobtail Member

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    May 23, 2007
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    yes its a new radio but i had this problem with my other radio to cobra 29 ltd classic. it had the built in swr and it was about 5 i think,, im useing a 18' cable with a 3' k40 antana, it has the sleeve to adjust the swr but im not much on radios, i guess i'll have to take it to a cb tech and see if i can get the swr set.. thank you for your reply
     
    timberghost, May 23, 2007
    timberghost, May 23, 2007
    #4
  7. May 23, 2007 #5
    TruckerLlew

    TruckerLlew Medium Load Member

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    675
    Jun 30, 2006
    Oklahoma
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    That is why you should always ground direct to the frame. Grounding to the skin or hinges is subject to rust and wear and tear. If you can go direct from the mount to the frame and keep the wire in good condition, you will never have ground problems again unless your coax breaks down.. That is easily fixed though.
     
    TruckerLlew, May 23, 2007
    TruckerLlew, May 23, 2007
    #5
  8. May 25, 2007 #6
    BUZZSAW

    BUZZSAW Light Load Member

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    Dec 14, 2006
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    Trucker lew,
    Please check above prob. a typo in both examples you said the whip needed to be lengthened.
     
    BUZZSAW, May 25, 2007
    BUZZSAW, May 25, 2007
    #6
  9. May 26, 2007 #7
    TruckerLlew

    TruckerLlew Medium Load Member

    434
    675
    Jun 30, 2006
    Oklahoma
    0
    :shock::shock::shock:

    D'OH! You're absolutely right! My Bad!

    If the SWR is low on ch1 and high on ch40, then you need to SHORTEN the whip a bit. Once again go at quarter inch until SWR is 1.5:1 or less. I will correct this ASAP.

    Thanks for the good eyes! and paying attention too!:biggrin_25514:
     
    TruckerLlew, May 26, 2007
    TruckerLlew, May 26, 2007
    #7
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