CB Troubleshooting. Share your thoughts.

Save yourself the aggravation and get a little wilson.....done. .02

 

A. you're meter is not in "calibration" mode is it?
B. #6 AWG is right. 4' is too long, can you get it to the truck body sooner? Think direct connection-sometimes longer ground line can act as a radiater and throw everything off.
C. antenna may have an electrical short within it (defective build) can you return it for a second one and start from scratch?

 

No, I know how to use the SWR meter correctly.

I agree with the 4', I'm wanting some folks with similar set ups to show where they grounded, and how they achieved a manageable ratio. I can't figure out a more perfect, closer place than the bolt I used on the frame to ground at.

As far as the antenna goes, it could be bad... But I've checked it electrically for grounds or shorts- I need to ohm it from the base to the adjustment to make sure it's not shorted I suppose. I'll do that tomorrow.

 

sorry I hadda ask-even the best of us have done it on occasion as I read your 1st post I was well aware of your radio knowledge.
I hope you find the answer. I honestly think starting fresh with another antenna is the quickest way out of this. Good luck.

 

Thanks man. I've got a 10' whip antenna that was on my truck before, I'm going to throw that on tomorrow.

 

I'm having the same issue you're having and haven't found a solution for it yet. Antenna is just sitting in my truck. Got my friend's Firestik up and running perfect though. Got frustrated so I haven't even touched it since.

 

I know a lot of people are having this problem, I'm going to get it figured out if it drives me mad!

The only real solution is to get a NGP antenna so far... But I refuse to give up that easy.

 

My CB is wired in the exact manner as you are describing. I am not running the 6' cable, I just swapped it out to see if that would make a difference, I'm running the 17' (I know I said 12' in the first post, but it's a 17'), and it is, exactly as you described, coiled in an oblong circle under my carpet.

My question is, what is your SWR on this setup?

 

Many years ago I was in the biz installing CB's and accessories. Firesticks are a little tricky to set up but once tuned in they work great.
First it sounds like you may be running a little short with a 4' stick. FS recommends that at least 2/3 of the antenna extend above the roof of the cab.
You may be able to adjust what you have since you are able to read a SWR now. In my day you just had to remove the plastic cover on the tip and either pull the coiled wire and spread it apart or sometimes cut the coil shorter.
I think most Firesticks have an adjustable threaded rod on top now. It is just something you will have to play with and see if you can determine which way to go to get tuned in.
Here are some tech tips from FS website that may help.....
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

 

Alright guys. Here's where I am now (day 3).

I tried the veteran advice I got from the local CB guy in town (and some of yous guys) and shortened the ground wire to about 5-7" (from the 4' I had) and had my dad help me get at one of the 10mm bolts that hold the drivers rear quarter panel on- the closest one to the top.

SWR read about 4.5-5:1, just as it was before.

I then connected BOTH the 4' ground to the chassis (the original)AND the new one.

I got 1.7:1 on channel 1. 3:1 on channel 40, and 4.5:1 on channel 20.

Cleaned up my tools, threw away all my snipped wire ends and wire ties, and checked again.

3.5:1 on chan 1, 20, and 40.

It went back up. It's the best so far, but it's still too high. Adjusting the tip shorter made it slightly worse, so it's sitting and full length.

I think what this is telling me that the 4' firestik II is just too short for our trucks. I think the ground scheme I have right now is actually very good, and if I can get ahold of a longer firestik, I could get my SWR in a manageable range without a NGP setup.

It'll probably be awhile yet before I'll use the CB, so I'm going to work on it some more and see if there is anything I can do, and of course I'll post my findings, but I think a longer antenna is the only real solution.

 

You're right, the antenna I have is, at best 50% higher than my truck top. I am considering that maybe adding a spring or something will get me to that 16.6% of more length I need.

 

Just Installed a 2 foot firestick no ground plane ant. to my delta poly toolbox. under 1.5 all around. It is mounted about 5 inches behind cab on side of box. Approx 1/2 of the stick is above the cab. seems o.k.