CB radio configuration help needed on Taco - Uniden Bearcat 880

****not specific to Tacoma*****
I installed a

$125 Uniden Bearcat 880 CB Radio with 40 Channels and Large Easy-to-Read 7-Color LCD Display with Backlighting, Backlit Control Knobs/Buttons, NOAA Weather Alert, PA/CB Switch, and Wireless Mic Compatible

Uniden Bearcat 880 CB radio few months back. Since then I have not heard a single truck to truck CB ramble on radio. I hit the "Weather" button and the local weather lady goes on rambling for hours. So the Antenna etc is set up correctly. There is a construction site near by my office and the semi trucks neatly line up at designated spots(they are far between). I assume they are using CB radio to talk. However, I do not hear or have not heard any chatter since I installed it...kinda silly but what channel(I'm using 19 now) can I switch to make sure my CB is in working order?

 

You might want to stop and ask just what channel they use

Take it to a CB radio shop to get checked.

you don`t have your squelch turned all the way up.

With cell phones more and more drivers and not using the radios.

I have not put one in a truck for quite a while.

 

The CB channels (1-40) all must be below 27MHz. The NOAA weather transmission is at 162MHz. It doesn't even use the same antenna(s) and instead uses an internal narrow-band FM antenna. So just because you can hear the weather lady is no indication at all that your CB is operational. It's like a separate radio inside the CB package.

I use my CB all the time and along the Interstates hear plenty of chatter. Also it is required for an off-road permit in my state and also required by the 4WD club I wheel with.

I agree with Wyoming09 though that you need to probably get it tuned. You could buy "Firestick" brand antennas that are tunable and you could tune them yourself. But since tuning is pretty much only required once might as well go into a shop and have it done, cost is usually $40 - $100 depending on the complexity of your setup. You may need a new antenna(s)?

 

Did you tune your radio? You cannot just install it and have it work. You need to tune it with an SWR meter and ensure a proper ground. I like doing it myself rather than paying someone, SWR meters are not expensive. Plus if you change antennas (they do break on the trail, even the flexible ones eventually) you will need to re-tune. Also, do any of your friends have CBs you can test it against?

Info if you are not familiar with CB tuning:
http://www.wearecb.com/how-to-tune-cb-antenna.html

 

Funny the OP does not say anything about installing a antenna !!!

Or the adventure of running the coax cable with those huge ends into the cab.

I wonder !! That would explain why the weather channel works and not the CB.

 

It is way better IMO to run the cable into the cab without the connector attached and then solder the connector on in the cab.

 

Some people can`t solder !!

 

Hopefully an antenna was installed. Running the CB without the antenna is No Bueno.

Op IF you have a CB antenna installed, turn the radio on to channel 19, the squelch all the way down, hit the trigger on the mic, and say "breaker, can I get a radio check". Repeat a few times if no one answers. If you can't get someone telling you "it's on", then it's time for a trip to the radio store.

Whatever you do, don't say "good buddy"