CB problems.

Well if you're using pretty much all that coax, then no need to shorten it. Is this new coax, or old? Is it possible there is a small cut or crimp in it somewhere? Just trying to run down all the possible scenario's. Like someone else asked, is someone helping you tune the antenna, and maybe next to it while you're checking the swr? New antenna, or old?

 

everything is new. no one is helping. all the windows up. i think i am going to mount it higher (on top of bedrails) and see what happens

 

Sorry dude... wish I was still up in Dahlonega. I would definitely help a brother out. I'm in Texas though. The only thing I can suggest is if you don't have any luck finding someone to help maybe you could find a local CB shop. Atlanta has enough trucks going through and around it you should have no problem finding one. There was always one in driving distance of I 75 when I lived in S. Georgia. If you get just dang tired of putting up with it the mag mount will solve all of your problems.

Oh...just remembered something.... there is a ham radio store in Hotlanta just outside spaghetti junction. Keep in mind that some ham radio operators believe that CB radios are evil. I am a Ham and I can say that I do understand due to some of the crap that you hear over the radio. That being said, I have heard some pretty bad stuff on the ham bands as well. I am sure if you were in the area and wanted some help one of the guys in HRO would be willing to take a look at it. Most of us have more antennas on our vehicles and houses than a porcupine has quills. Here is the address....

6071 Buford Hwy,
Atlanta GA 30340
N 33° 54.966 W 84° 15.591

 

thanks i just finished a new mount today, i bought a welder just to make it, and i have been learnering about welders and practicing with my new one so this sunday i will check swr readings, if they are still high i am returing the cb ant. and the swr meter for something different.

 

the radio could be shitty...get a Wilson 2000 ant., they are tunable

 

the ant. i have now is tunable, could the cb radio ground be a problem? i figured it the thing turned on the ground was good.

 

No, the radio has a positive negative power cable and if the negative is bad it will not turn on. If you know someone that has a radio and antenna on their truck you guys could plug your radio into his antenna just to check. Too bad you don't know anyone with a mag mount antenna you could borrow to check it out that way. Someone here should live close enough to you to be able to help you out. I still think you may have the base of the antenna put together wrong. There are plenty of diagrams online to show you the correct way it goes together. Just double check it against one of the diagrams.

 

The antenna mount/ bolt assembly that your antenna screws into. There should be alittle white teflon washer in there with a flat side and the other side has a small lip on it. Make sure the lip is facing down into the mounting bracket and make sure the whole is the correct size the instructions asked for. I made the mistake of making the whole smaller, the mount still fit in the hole but that lip on the washer didnt fit down into the whole so it grounded the whole thing out and made my SWR go through the roof.

 

ok i cant remeber which way i had that little washer in place...but i have lost it now and though i could just go to the store and pick up any kind of plastic washer??? i guess i cant? where can i get a new washer. i made my own mounting bracket to try mounting it in a different location but have put it together yet.

 

i have no idea where to get just the washer... The stud is only $4 so i would probably just buy a new one like this http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cb-springs-studs-84/chrome-plated-so-239-stud-462.html

 

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/images/cCatImages/mounts.jpg

http://www.walcottcb.com/images/products/FLM/FLM.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c40/Rubid00/cb_lug.jpg

The mount and plastic spacers should look like the ones above. Follow all the parts in the same order as the above links. The plastic washers...which you can buy separate..... should keep the center pin or shaft from touching the grounded mount.