2016 Tacoma CB Radio Issues

I just installed a

$67 Uniden PRO520XL Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio. Compact Design. ANL Switch and PA/CB Switch. 7 Watts of Audio Output and Instant Emergency Channel 9. - Black

Uniden PRO520XL CB radio and have a 4' firestick II mounted on a bed rail mount grounded to the body. I can receive signals perfectly clear but my transmit is very quiet. The CB is tuned to 1.15 SWR and I have tested another mic plugged in and still sending quiet transmission. Anything else to check?

 

Unrelated to your issue, but where did you mount your mic?

 

What did you use as a power source? Just make sure that your power source, wherever you tapped in does not drop below 12.6v when transmitting. Your receiver sensitivity is not effected so much by a minor..minor fluctation in power source, bit your transmitter will be.
If that is not issue double check your antenna connections, maybe sub another for test.
Last resort - New radio and /or antenna.

Do you know if that fire stick is a 1/2 wave antenna? Check your ground thats the other half of the wave, make sure it is solid.

Let us know how it works out.

 

Your finals could be weak. Fires stick could be it. Where is it mounted. You need good plane. If not mounting on the top of your truck get a wilson or k40. You will talk even if behind the cab. Glass sticks are good for a mile or so. They are not a CBrs choice to reach out and touch someone.

 

Another thing that came to mind is I wired the CB to a cigarette lighter plug and the plug was breaded wire while the CB wire was soldiered wire. Maybe that connection isn't solid. How can I verify the antenna is grounded? Multi meter with no resistance?

 

You can see if it has resistance. Also if you have a ground problem you are not going to get a low standing waive. Try turning your gain up. You want to modulate as much as you can with still being clear. Watch the meter on the radio and see if it is reading. If you are maxed recheck your swr that will fry your output finals. Do not worry about power mikes. Sounds like your in a trash can. I do not know much just basics. Grew up in a ham/cb family . Cb bases hitting around the world. Hmm. I need to install my linear

 

Is that antenna mounted to a metal part of the truck or the composite bed. It needs to be mounted on metal that has continuity with the chassis. As someone else said, your truck is the other half of the antenna.

 

The antenna is mounted on a mount attached to the bed rail. I also wired a ground wire that is attached to the body right under the black plastic on top of the bed sides.

 

I would double and triple check that ground. You might want to use a braided strap.

 

The red paint edit is where I located my ground wire. I'll add a second ground wire directly to the frame. I also ordered a new coaxial cable to make sure its not the cheap cable.