Can't get my cobra CB radio to work

Hey guys, looking for some advice. My truck had a Cobra 75WXST and Firestick antenna mounted on the hood ever since I bought it. The weather mode works, but when I switch to the CB channels I get nothing. I've left it on 9, 19, scan mode, everything. I work in an industrial area with a lot of truckers, have had it on while driving, etc. but I've never gotten anything other than static. I have read the manual for the Cobra from front to back and can't figure out what else I can do. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

 

Have you tuned your antenna via SWR meter? That is critical for a functioning radio.

 

No I have not. I would've thought the original owner would have done that but maybe not. I will have to do some research on this as I'm not familiar with a SWR meter. Thanks!

Nope I have dialed the squelch in like the manual suggests. Even with it all the way off I don't get anything but static. I'll have to look into tuning it.

 

Ok a couple of follow up questions after doing some research -

• Can I tune the antenna without an SWR meter? I was thinking just trial and error adjusting the Firestick tip.
• The red rubber cap on my Firestick is stuck, the rubber has degraded and I can't get it off. Any ideas?

 

SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) is the amount of reflected power when you transmit. If you are getting nothing but static on receive, check the continuity of your antenna cable and connection to your antenna. It sound like you have an open somewhere. You could also temporarily try your radio with another antenna to isolate the problem to the radio or antenna system.