CB Radio - need to have it peaked and tuned

What I am looking for is recommendations for shops that do a good job, are honest, and use their magic.

I have the swr meter, but what i want it is to have it dialed in. Just as I do to my pistol with its action to make it smooth, I want to dial in my radio so I can get the best performance. Our group uses handheld radios, but few of us have cb's and mine just does not work that well. I have Cobra 29 LX and really don't mind spending the bucks to make it talk.

I have the rest of the gear as well.

 

I've used Walcott Radio (http://www.walcottradio.com/) for several radios. They have always done right by me.

I assume you can send your radio in for them to tune - I have purchased mine from them pre-tuned.

 

I'm loving the action comparison. I have an obsession with triggers on my guns that all started with my MK III target. It has a Volquartsen trigger at around 2 lbs. My Custom 10/22 has a two stage set at 8oz/8oz. Now my new S&W 686 P is whispering to me that it needs some work even though she feels so sweet after 200 rounds. I just KNOW a DA trigger job will be even sweeter...

As for the radio, I have yet to really use mine on the trail but if I have issues I'll consider the same. I have a Bearcat 880 and a 4' Firestik. It's bigger, but it has worked well so far just listening to the truckers around here. They will call out their location and I get good reception from a few miles out.

 

I've tuned my MKIII, my competition 77/22s, my 10/22s...

 

Sorry for the mild Jacking going on.

Nice! It sounds like you're a rimfire guy like me. Tony Kidd triggers for the 10/22 here. Spoiled... nothing from the factory ever feels good enough now. I realize all my guns can't have 2lb target triggers, but having no takeup clean break and minimal reset is fantastic. The S&W revolver is the best factory trigger I have. It's also the first revolver for me. I'm torn.

 

Thanks appreciate your recommendation, yes I can box up and send, or maybe buy a new one, depending on what they suggest. I have lots of items on cb's that indicate they are not always at the top of the game, right out of the box.. Maybe even have it kicked up to 10,000 watts. Oh sorry, that would be a roving radio station..

 

How much additional range do you get with a peak and tune vs just setting the SWR?

 

The two are not mutually exclusive.

You need the correct SWR regardless of the power you are pushing. Without it, you will not transmit very far, and could possibly damage your radio.

Peak and tweak (tune) will usually increase the power output of the radio, depending how sloppily it was built. However, more than 4 watts is not legal on the CB frequencies. (Yes, no one really checks anymore...).

 

Well that explains all the crazy broadcasts I hear on channels from time to time. Crazy ass dude saying the same weird thing over and over...

Base stations I'm guessing...

 

You can a power amp to your mobile setup as well - not legal, but people do.

 

^^ my dad tells me about the old days when he was young and running a 1000W linear amplifier and a "beam" type antenna on CB. He use to talk to people on the east coast and as far as Guam from socal, crazy.

 

Gave him a call the other day, he is only doing repair at the moment and indicated he was really backed up and it would take quite a bit before he could get to it. However he would not let me go at that, and wanted to know more about my problem, gave me some suggestions about testing with the swr and what differences it could make. Too bad he is so busy, i think even without doing paid business, i like the guy, up front and honest. Will continue the search.

 

That's good to hear. Always like to know there are honest, helpful people in business out there. As I said, they always did right by me.

You could always check back in a month or two - depending how fast you need your radio.

 

I had really good luck with my peak and tune galaxy 33 and Palomar 225 amp with Wilson 2000 antenna. ThatThat thing would talk the talk and walk it too.

 

You can't send in a radio and antenna to get the swr set. You have to set it on the vehicle. If you change vehicles, radios or antennas you will have to get it set again to match the combo (radio, antenna and vehicle).
I worked at a CB shop many moons ago. I've seen some combos that wouldn't work together at all. Several times we had to try different antennas to find one that worked well with the radio and vehicle. The biggest factor is the vehicle, depending on it's size and how much actual metal vs plastic was used to build it.
At that time (and still today) radios were primarily used by truckers and, as such, antennas are manufactured to be used on big rigs with lots of metal in the bodies (more "ground plane" effect).

 

I have both a Wilson and Firestick.. Based on conversation with above radio shop, sending both the mic and unit in makes sense to insure that both of those items are operation and max. I have tried tuning in with both built in swr and external one and could not get it down to desired levels. At least this way I will know that both the unit and mic are not the issue as there are no cb shops in my area. Money is not my issue, its a wish to have it working at it's best