new to cb, clueless

[jbaustin10]

hi i just put a cobra 29 lt classic in my truck with a 12 foot cable and mounted a 3 foot generic brand whip mounted to my back rack, my friend also mounted the same set up, we can talk with in like a 10 foot range, i feel like were missing somthing, any one that could point me in the right direction would be appreciated

 

[mackmobile43]

sounds like your antenna is not connected.

 

[Robb]

CB Radio

SWR

Read both of these pages.
When you are done, ask questions.
If you don't know about the SWR adjustments; you may be already frying your radio.
No joke . . .

 

[badfish]

What Robb said. I'm guessing its a SWR issue. When you key up the radio does the antenna (ANT.) light turn red?

 

[psycho]

sounds like your antenna is not connected.

Sounds like the coax/antenna is dead shorted....I can talk a hundred yards without any coax hooked to the back of the radio. I know what a nice rack is but a back rack?
Maybe this is what he meant by back rack.

 

[hotrod]

definately antenna problem on BOTH setups heres what could be wrong
1/ bad swr
2/bad location for antenna ,roof is ALWAYS the best
3/generaic antenna.never skimp on this area. this will somewhat detrime
your distance.
4/coax never skimp on this either.not sure where u got the coax ,or
what type it is. but i do know radioshack coax is junk at any lenth.
theres many places online to buy a few things you may need heres
my reccommendations
palco electronics
copper.com
know i cant tell ya what your problem maybe on the internet but if i
was there this is where id start.remember your cb will only be as good
as the antenna /coax will allow it.its possible to have a 30.00 radio and 80.00
antenna and talk 15-25 miles [depending on terrain]