Need CB help!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Need CB help!
Ok,since I added the captains chairs to my truck,and the new gauges,I thought I`d add my CB while I`m at it.I bought a new mount and drilled a hole in my mirror arm to mount the antannae to,bought new coax,ran it through the wing window and up under dash.I`m using about a 4ft fiberglass antennae,I forget the name,I think it was called a firestick? And my Cobra 29 Plus radio.Same setup as I had in my van.Well I can`t pick anything up,I was always able to pick up truckers talkin while in my driveway,oe at least hear my neighbor down the street talking,but now absolutely nothing.I thought maybe it was the antennae so I put a 5ft whip on instead,no difference.So I borrowed a friend`s Radio Shack radio,hooked it up,no difference.Mine has a built in SWR meter,and I adjusted it to the correct level.I even checked it with an external meter to make sure.So anyone know what might be my problem?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Durham
Need CB help!
Bad cable?, adequate power?, good ground?, I think all of those would show up when you checked on your meter. I have a built in meter on my Cobra also, but I found that the regular meter hooked in line with the antenna was more accurate. Do you have the right lenght cable?
Slik
Slik
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Need CB help!
You do have the CORRECT length coax don't you?
What was the match on your meter ?
Dennis
First Came the Chicken,
Then Came the Egg,
Or Was It the Other Way Around?
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
What was the match on your meter ?
Dennis
First Came the Chicken,
Then Came the Egg,
Or Was It the Other Way Around?
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Senior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: conneaut usa
Need CB help!
howdy Ive seen that problem before I advoided it by having atentia on my bed but the mirror mounts are the problem what you are going to have to do is to run a ground from the anntena therefore giving you the proper ground....and ground is essential for the Cb to run having the anntenta and CB properly alighned by the SWR is good but with no gound wont do a bit of good so try running a wire from the connector of the anntena on the mirror to the frame to see what that does and if it works there you go as good of a place to start as any
Godbless
Marc Conley
morganton Nc
Godbless
Marc Conley
morganton Nc
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Need CB help!
Also make the ground for the radio itself as short as possible.
You might want to take an ohmeter and run some checks to make sure your cab, frame, and engine are all grounded together well.
Both your antenna length and coax have to be some multiple of the wavelength you are using. I think its 62 inches, right about.
Unless you're being jammed somehow, or your radio's broke, that should do it
You might want to take an ohmeter and run some checks to make sure your cab, frame, and engine are all grounded together well.
Both your antenna length and coax have to be some multiple of the wavelength you are using. I think its 62 inches, right about.
Unless you're being jammed somehow, or your radio's broke, that should do it
New User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Nocona US
Need CB help!
If your truck has the same fold away mirrors mine does then the problem is the plastic spacer between mirror and door. had the same problem myself. Either run a wire to ground mirror or move antenna to bed or toolbox.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Need CB help!
I`m going to help a friend this morning and thought I`d try and fix this problem because I just got it back from the tranny shop and this will gimme a chance to try it on the hi-way.I re-grounded the antenna to the door itself,drilled a hole on the inside of the door and ran a wire through the wing window.I tried grounding it to the mirror mount before.I then shortened the power ground and hooked it up under the dash instead because it was picking up all the engine noise before.Turned it on and voila....I hear voices loud and clear!!!FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote