rngr's Debatable Debacle Build

When are you installing?

 

Already have, and took it back off. I went with the midland that plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet and a magnetic antenna so I can store it when not in use.

 

How is the reception? I may go that route myself.

 

Well, I should preface this by noting I have no idea what the hell I'm doing with a CB. I don't know what "good" and "bad" reception is. The one day I had it hooked up I was getting a lot of static, but this very likely could be user error. I know @Dave41079 is running this radio with a similar antenna. He may be able to give you a better review and tell me what I'm doing wrong. So Dave, how's your radio do?

 

We have similar CB skill sets!

 

I thought it was as simple as plugging it in and saying some corny "breaker breaker" CB lingo into the mic. Apparently I was mistaken.

 

I have had nothing but good results. I am using the K40 magnetic antenna roughly in the center of the roof, and I get a few miles range on the interstate. All I do is hook up and go. Never tuned anything. When you were getting static, did you try adjusting the squelch at all? And did you try it on the interstate to see if you were able to tx and rx signals?

 

I played with the squelch a lot on the interstate. I can hear people talking but the static is so strong you can't understand them. At the point on the squelch dial that the static disappeared, so did the voices of the people talking. That held true for all channels. Going to play with it some more tomorrow.

 

Sounds like a grounding issue. The problem is I'm not sure how to improve the grounding on a magnetic base antenna.

 

I had two thoughts. It was raining the day I installed and tested. I dried the roof the best I could but I'm sure there was some moisture between the magnet and the roof. Not sure if that would make a difference. I also read in the manual the antenna shouldn't be near any other metal objects. I remover my rack in the topper. We will see

 

Beautiful pics!

Very nice! I'd love to do this one day.

 

Those pics did turn out good. My buddy took them with his iPhone 6. That made me realize just how terrible my iPhone 4s camera is, even by cell phone photography standards.

 

What model Midland are you guys using?

 

I can relate, I've got an older Nexus 5, terrible camera.

 

This one?

$100 Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-82..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1PFEWZ8EKHEM738PJ7FH

 

That is the one. I had some better luck with the radio this morning. I had a conversation with a trucker about my new radio. It was clear as a bell. I'm thinking that when I'm getting a whole lot of static I may just be outside the range of my setup.

 

Sounds good. How did you run the coaxial cable cable into the cab?

 

Through the sliding rear glass.

 

I assume it does not completely close?

 

As Dave put it, it will close if you push "just hard enough".