CB recieving great, transmitting bad

A few things to add, you want SWR's on ch1 and ch40 as close as possible. Ch19 should be lower.

As stated, adjust your antenna up and down, 1/4" at a time, then 1/8" to fine tune, and watch as the SWR's move. Takes a little time, but when you get it set, you're done.

Often a bad ground is the problem. Don't sit near another radio to test, get 100yds away. For tuning the antenna, best to get out in the open, away from tall buildings and trees.

 

Did you post a picture of your antenna mount? If so, it's not showing up for me.
I suggest double check washers and cable connection at the antenna. Firestick should have a plastic washer that prevents the outer threads from touching metal on the mount. Make sure the threaded metal ends of your antenna cable are not touching other metal.

 

You ever figure this one out? I have 2 of these radios. One in a Grand Cherokee, and the other in my Tacoma. I Rx in my truck fine, but Tx is broken at best. Similar setup to yours. Radio in the other vehicle Tx is loud and clear. I have swapped antennas and cables, tuned the antennas, and still broken. Pissing me off.

 

When checking the VSWR in the FWD mode, talk loudly into the mike. You should see the power output increase slightly, the needle should flicker, the louder you talk, the more it will flicker. this will indicate that the RF is being modulated. CB's are amplitude modulated. If the VSWR is within tolerance and you don't see a flicker, then either the radio or the mic is bad.

 

I’m having same issues, but no one can’t here me. I even bought a new mic to see if it’s the mic giving me issues. I ordered a new antenna set up. Hoping that will fix my issue. I’m running A Walmart made in China antenna at the moment.

 

Is it the same radio?
I also bought one of those but it’s still in the box.

It sucks when people don’t update if they resolved a problem.

 

1-1.5 is ideal so your standing wave ratio isn't the issue provided you tested it properly with a calibrated meter. Anything between your handset and the radio could be causing a problem. The most likely culprit is your mic since it is the thing that gets the most use (or abuse). Check your connections and that the mic connector is threaded all the way on and all of the contacts are nice and golden colored. Hit the contacts up with an eraser (like an old school #2 pencil eraser) to remove the crud and get the contacts nice and shiny gold/brass looking again. I would also check your radio's ground although this doesn't sound TX/RX related. It is more likely the handset's ground is crappy.

Did you check how much power is getting out at the back of the radio with a watt meter? Also: including the model CB would help troubleshoot the issue. Another thing: are you sure you want to be running CB in California? Those bands are so crowded most in the off road community are running VHF. You may want to consider a 15W GMRS radio and a GMRS license through the FCC - it is quick and costs like $40 (or thereabouts) and is good for 10 years and applies to everyone in your family.

Edit: your antenna is grounded to wherever you have it mounted right? Like bare metal to bare metal? If you have it on your roof you need to grind the paint off so the antenna's grounding surface is touching the bare metal of your vehicle. That or run a separate ground cable from the antenna to the frame or something.