CB specifics

3-5 miles would be plenty of range I think. I only really need it for FJ summit this summer. I have a ham rig for primary comms.

I’m just at a bit of a loss as to why the SWR isn’t better. The antenna sticks way above the cab, it’s as far back as the coax will allow, there are no other sources electrical interference until it gets under the drivers seat...

 

Are you sure that it is on a good ground? Pop the hood take a long piece of wire run it back to the bed attach the alligator clip of a test light to that cable and probe around until you find a decent ground. It's pretty easy to do.

 

Does it need to be grounded even when using a NGP kit? I thought that was the whole point of a NGP kit

 

What I'm saying is make sure that it isn't on a good ground. Use the test light to make sure that it isn't grounded. I don't believe that the bed rail is a good ground so you should be fine.

Check this link. http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/NGP_Install.htm

The coaxial cable used on the NGP systems are an integral part of the system. As a matter of fact, neither the antenna nor the coax may be used with other antennas or coax that are not designated a being Firestik NGP components. This is a closed, tuned system.

 

It's late I'm tired but that link should do the trick for you.

 

Oh oh okay gotcha. I’ll take a stab at that tomorrow if I get a chance.

Yeah I saw that when I read the leaflet that came with the kit. interesting how it works.

Thanks for your help @brentw59

 

I ran a 4' Firestick and now a 3' Firestick off behind the cab of my truck. I don't have any issues with radio interference or performance. I switched from the 4' to the 3' for aesthetics.

 

Have you adjusted the mic gain? (maybe she can't hear you) Is your RF power all the way up?

Maybe it's the Uniden? What's the Uniden showing for S/RF when you transmit to it?

 

I don't know if they need to be, but most report better SWR with it grounded.

 

Were you able to get your CB antenna stuff all squared up?

I forgot to ask yesterday about your bracket... Who makes it?

 

Caliraised makes them for 3rd gen i got one for both sides. I reinstalled it all today like i was recommended but had to cut it short for the day due to my baby. Still need to install the cobra 75 head unit.

 

Do you happen to have pictures of the 2 sizes? I'm slowly piecing together the components I need and I keep going back & forth on a 3' or 4' antenna. Any noticeable difference between the 2?

 

Mic Gain, RF Power, and RF Gain are (and were) all dimed. I'm not sure what was showing on the Uniden at the time but hopefully I can do another test soon.

 

3’ is pretty darn tall above my truck i definintly dont see me ever going to 4’

 

I have a photo of the 4', I'll take one of the 3' and post them when I get home. For my purposes, there's no discernible difference other than range.

 

Yup...the 4' is tall especially where I mounted it and on a heavy duty spring.

 

So I guess it’s safe to say “Walk softly & carry a 4ft fire stick”.

 

This chart might help you narrow it down. http://www.wearecb.com/images/cb-radio-trouble-shooting-guide.jpg

 

Hahaha yup!

 

Thanks! I have a feeling that if she turned down the squelch a little, things would have been better.

I'm going to chalk this one up to operator error (don't tell my wife) until I can get another CB pro to help me out. BTW, in that grid what does "Switch to active channel" mean?