So I tested out my cb today and found that I had the most unexpected thing happen. I hooked everything up using a cheap antenna that mounts magnetically. (Probably my problem) this is on an 01 ford f150. I was figuring on at least static. Instead I fired everything up and nothing. It was like the antenna did not even exist. I keyed the mic only to find that it would sqwall at me. If I barely pressed the button the radio speaker would sqwall instead. So I'm down 3 things that could be my problem. Antenna, radio, or location. I have never tried running a radio under a roof before but I assumed that I would have the static. This was my first attempt at actually hooking everything up. The radio lights all turned on and it has a knob display for the channels instead of the normal digital type. The meeter would barely move at all and it only did when I played with the knobs a little bit. I treys two different mics and got the same results with both of them. I know that normally you have to peak and tune everything before you can run it but this is not the vehicle I plan on running it on just the one I happened to test it on due to a larger ground plane. I moved the antenna from the top of the cab to the back of the bed hoping that being closer to the oppen door that I would get some signal. Does anybody agree with my theory that if it gets static it's at least working. This thing is to old to have the clarifier that some of the new ones have it think. It was made in 76. (One reason the radio is suspect) I know that's its incorrect to test one under a roof like did and I won't be doing that again. Does anybody have anything ells that would cause the thing to be quiet like it was off but light up or of my theory is in fact correct and being under a roof could cause that? I was also dealing with high winds and storm clouds if that is helpful information at all.
-
You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
Little issue and thinking it might be my antenna or location
- Thread starter New cb user
- Start date
I am not sure I understand what you are describing. When you say under a roof are you talking about the truck in in a garage or car port?
What kind of cheap magnet mount antenna is it?
Being a radio that is almost 40 years old, there could be some malfunctioning components. With out having more information, it is hard to say. The center of the vehicle roof will be your best mounting location. There are a few things to try. On your radio, if there is an knob that is marked "RF Gain" turn it fully clockwise. Turn the knob marked "Squelch" fully counter clockwise. Maybe that will produce some static. If you are getting nothing, then the radio may be in need of repair. Depending on what you have for a radio, it may be more worth your while to purchase another one.
What kind of cheap magnet mount antenna is it?
Being a radio that is almost 40 years old, there could be some malfunctioning components. With out having more information, it is hard to say. The center of the vehicle roof will be your best mounting location. There are a few things to try. On your radio, if there is an knob that is marked "RF Gain" turn it fully clockwise. Turn the knob marked "Squelch" fully counter clockwise. Maybe that will produce some static. If you are getting nothing, then the radio may be in need of repair. Depending on what you have for a radio, it may be more worth your while to purchase another one.
You need to get an swr meter and check all your connections, sounds like you aren't getting any connection to the antenna if all is quiet. If you already have an swr meter, put it in line between the radio and antenna and Check you SWR readings. And also check all your connectors and also the connection at the antenna as well, if it's a mag mount, which type is it as some of the cheap truck stop ones aren't put together very well from my experience. Good luck and hope you get it sorted out. God bless.
From what I gather you are doing this testing inside something, garage or whatever, and that's not doing you any favors at all. Move outside and preferably at least away from metal structures etc. If the antenna is usable at all you should at least hear some noise or static. There could be several reasons for that squalling, no idea considering the age of the radio etc.
If you're not very familiar with radios in general there's not really much you can do besides ask for help. Doing it here on a forum isn't exactly the easiest way of getting that help. All we can do is make guesses. The only thing you've told us for sure is that it's in a Ford pickup.
Good luck.
- 'Doc
If you're not very familiar with radios in general there's not really much you can do besides ask for help. Doing it here on a forum isn't exactly the easiest way of getting that help. All we can do is make guesses. The only thing you've told us for sure is that it's in a Ford pickup.
Good luck.
- 'Doc
It's actually an early Walmart mount from about 15 years ago. This was all tested under a garage with an open door. I can't curently find my swr meeter the antenna is constructed in such a way the cable is actually attached directly to it like an led light to a socket. It has a plastic base about 3 inches tall. A second 3 inch plastic part has the coil and it screws onto the base. At the top is a small mettal pice that screws on both ends the bottom for tuning the top so you can replace the actuall antenna which just fits in there and you screw the top down and it runs some springs against it. Did adjust everything and nothing happened. It's a Regency cr-230 I doubt its worth anything. I have an old JCPenny that I know works but I thought 23 channels on a radio was different. I doubt I will even mount it in a vehicle. I was thinking of a small base station so when the family gets together we would have some way to contact everybody as long as people had the hand held type cb radios on them. 275 acres of land to get stuck or lost on. when cell phones don't work most of the time you tend to think of an alternative.
I was posting when you replied lol. Yeah I'm not very familiar with CB radios. I have some family that can help me out but I'm looking for advice from all sorts of sources. Can't ever have to much info.
The way the plug is made its a 4 prong plug with a little spot up top so you can only plug it in one way. However they could be wrong as one is a Kobra and the other is a JCPenny so its possible that they are made different. If they are then there is not much I can do about it because I don't know how it's wired or anything like that
Yeah. That's the general fear. I don't have the organal mic for it I will probably find a schematic online and see if I can find a proper replacement.