CB Install
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New User
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CB Install
Hi alll,
Trying to install a cb in my 04 F-150. Problem is I hear no background noise
at all with the engine on or off. After driving awhile it slowly comes back to normal.
It transmits & still can hear people even with the lack of noise.
When I stop or put it in park it cuts off & on sometimes (not always). It is wired to the battery very secure. I have tried different antennas including a dummy load & still no background noise on am. FM is normal, so is SSB.
I have tried the radio in the house & works fine.
It will work in the truck when the sun is on it however warming up the truck
does not bring it back to normal. Odd thing is if I go out & turn it on between 11 & 2 in the afternoon it always works! It seems it's not the radio that needs to be warm it's the battery.
I have been told perhaps the trucks computer is interfering or that I need a different ground than the neg terminal on the battery.
If it's the computer it would make sense that when I park or stop it's doing something to interfere.
The CB is mounted right on top of the dash.
Any ideas?
Thanks !
Jim
Trying to install a cb in my 04 F-150. Problem is I hear no background noise
at all with the engine on or off. After driving awhile it slowly comes back to normal.
It transmits & still can hear people even with the lack of noise.
When I stop or put it in park it cuts off & on sometimes (not always). It is wired to the battery very secure. I have tried different antennas including a dummy load & still no background noise on am. FM is normal, so is SSB.
I have tried the radio in the house & works fine.
It will work in the truck when the sun is on it however warming up the truck
does not bring it back to normal. Odd thing is if I go out & turn it on between 11 & 2 in the afternoon it always works! It seems it's not the radio that needs to be warm it's the battery.
I have been told perhaps the trucks computer is interfering or that I need a different ground than the neg terminal on the battery.
If it's the computer it would make sense that when I park or stop it's doing something to interfere.
The CB is mounted right on top of the dash.
Any ideas?
Thanks !
Jim
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Are you sure that the 'squelch' control isn't all the way clockwise? Turn it counterclockwise until you hear the roar (background noise), then clockwise until it goes away again. That is best signal to noise spot. Do it with engine off...then try it with engine running...you may have to readjust.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 35
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From: Clifton Park NY
The radio in my big truck does the same thing at times. No noise turning the squelch down and the RF gain all the way up. Can't explain why, radio works fine other than that. I have a Cobra 29 limited and twin ants.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Unscrew the coax from back of radio...have radio on, squelch off (full counterclockwise) and put just the center conductor in the back connector. Do you now have 'receive' function? If so, you have a short or maybe an open center conductor in your antenna cable. Be sure you do not let the case of the PL259 (cable plug) touch the threaded portion of radio plug. DO NOT TRY TO TRANSMIT while doing this.
Do you have an SWR meter? If not, take it to a radio shop (maybe even Radio Shack) to see if they would check your SWR's.
Do you have an SWR meter? If not, take it to a radio shop (maybe even Radio Shack) to see if they would check your SWR's.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
WOW...ya know, I haven't been on the CB in a few years. It might be that the skip season has quit for a while...and the airways are just clear...'cept for locals. When someone transmits near you - says within 1-10 miles, can you hear them? If so, there isn't ANYTHING wrong. It's that way when the probigation is low. Can't talk skip (long distances), just local...up to maybe 50-100 miles depending upon your location...and power. Is it the same across all your channels? Can you hear ANYONE talking?
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Yes I can hear people but you should always have the background static when the squelch is off. It does not hinder receive or transmitjust an annoying thing that I can't seem to trace. Every radio that I have owned has the background static on it...FM, Ham, CB etc. It's one thing to choose to squelch it out but it's another when it's not there & should be.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Clifton Park NY
I have noticed that in the truck, that is the reason there's no background noise. I always have the noise reduction on. My coax cables are wired through the mirror brackets, none are exposed and the truck is fairly new. No breaks. SWR's are low. When there is no background noise the reception is fine. 5 miles or so.(southern New York, northern New Jersey) Might be that the newer radios have NR built in with no off switch. I have a small Radio Shack that has this.
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