Newbie help

[okie25]

Hey all! First post!

I drive a 2012 Frieghtliner Coronado. It's a day cab.

I have a cobra 29 lx, running factory coax, out to a set of Francis fiberglass antennas. One is 4.5' long and one is 5.5' long. I bought two different lengths on accident.

I can't get out or receive for nothing. If you are more than a half mile from me I get nothing. There is not a cb shop within 100 miles from me, so I'm trying to rig something up myself. I have very little knowledge of these radios.

My question is what would be the best thing for me to do to help my radio out?
I thought about unhooking my antennas, running better coax out to a 102" whip. I would mount it behind the cab. Only around 2.5' would be above the cab though. I have a horizontal bar behind my cab, in the center, towards the top, i can mount a antenna to it. I could run around a 5' antenna there and have almost the whole antenna above the truck.

So what should I do? Maybe something totally different? Also is the factory mic ok, or should I get something different?

Thanks!!!

[1 ADAM 12]

Hello Okie25. Just to keep things simple... I would recommend starting with new coax to ONE antenna. One antenna will be much easier to adjust the SWR. If you have never heard of SWR go to rightchannelradios.com and click on their tech help section. You will learn all about it. A Firestik FS II antenna, from one of the sponsors, is really easy to adjust the SWR. RG8X coax, from one of the sponsors, is good coax to use for a mobile installation such as yours. The CB radio you are using should do a nice job. Hope this helps and do not be afraid to question the time out of some of the "elders" on this site. They have way more knowledge than I do.

[Skipper 169]

I would check SWR now. If it's too high, above 1.5 or more, I would stop using the radio at all, till you get it fixed. Order online from a sponsor below. Here is exactly what you need. [Please login or register to view this link]

[Savoirfaire]

Dual antennas are often tough to tune.

Since you have two different size antennas, then I can understand why you are having problems.

Try to mount the 5.5 foot antenna and run a working piece of coax to it.

The best working antenna is on a spot with metal directly below it. The more metal under the antenna the better it works.

Cab usually have very little so you may have to use the metal you mentioned.

Yes, antenna above the truck as much as possible is best.

102 inch whip would be too high on a cab

However, there are other mounting options but not as effective.

Mag mounts are the least effective and by remote chance can come off the vehicle and hurt someone or damage other people's vehicles.

There are better microphones but that is not the problem here. Plus, too much microphone mobile can pick up a lot of background noise.

Best wishes on this project and research on the web because there is lots of information to assist you.

73, Frank 10 X-Ray 47 (SSB)

[redlght]

cobra 29 lx has a built in swr meter start there like others said use the longest antenna with single coax. An Antenna from Francis is pre-tuned only way to tune it more is to cut some off the top after taking off the cap but water can get in it then and only if the antenna needs to be shorter.
If the SWR on channel 1 is greater than that on channel 40 your antenna is considered to be "SHORT"
If the SWR on channel 40 is greater than that on channel 1 your antenna is considered to be "LONG"

[okie25]

Thanks for the replies!

Here is where I'm at today....

I found my swr meter last night. It's a roadpro clamshell type. I think I paid $20 for it a year ago. I used it because from my research the swr meter on the radio isn't 100% perfect. I followed the instructions from the sponsor site.

Channel 1 was at 1.8 ---channel 20 was at 1.5--- channel 40 was at 1.1

After pulling my radio out and really taking a look at it, my coax only ran towards my drivers side antenna. Guess the passenger side is music antenna. I had a spring under the passenger side antenna so I pulled it and slapped it under my drivers side antenna since the swr meter said it was short. Now when I check the swr's it hits in the red between 4 or 5. I even put everything back like it was and it still hits way too high. If that wasn't enough now when I key the mic my music radio cuts out.



I'm home now so I guess I'll play with it again tomorrow. Really wish I had a cb shop closer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[sonoma]

what state are you located in that you do not have a shop close to you.

[okie25]

I'm in Oklahoma I live right next to I-35 around Ardmore. There used to be one in Paulsvalley about 40 miles north of me. They closed. There used to be one in Marietta about 15 miles south of me. They closed. Lol.

The closest one is up on I-40 in Oklahoma City at a TA. He goes by Stryker. I drove up there on my day off and had him peak and tune this radio. I've heard nothing but bad things about him ever since from other drivers.

I'm a local driver hauling fuel and never get close to any of the cb shops. With as much truck traffic there is around Ardmore, I figured a cb shop would be booming. Guess not though since the two closest ones closed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[Slyguy]

You're not real far from me. If you ever get near Sherman holler and I'll help you out. I don't charge anything.

[okie25]

Thanks! Hopefully ill get it fixed soon but if I don't... We are always picking up new stores maybe we will get one towards your neck of the woods.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[sonoma]

I'm in Oklahoma I live right next to I-35 around Ardmore. There used to be one in Paulsvalley about 40 miles north of me. They closed. There used to be one in Marietta about 15 miles south of me. They closed. Lol.

The closest one is up on I-40 in Oklahoma City at a TA. He goes by Stryker. I drove up there on my day off and had him peak and tune this radio. I've heard nothing but bad things about him ever since from other drivers.

I'm a local driver hauling fuel and never get close to any of the cb shops. With as much truck traffic there is around Ardmore, I figured a cb shop would be booming. Guess not though since the two closest ones closed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

there is a shop in Moore just off I35 and main street. he has been in business for over 40 years and does great work.he is on main street just across from the Del Rancho drive inn in Moore. he does not advertise just does business from word of mouth.
it is Kelly electronics. just get off on south 4th street in moore going north and take the side road to the stop sign which is main street , make a right turn and 1st street turn right again and he is in a shop facing the street you just turned on, on the right side of the street.
address is 111 s chestnut st. Moore , Ok. 73160
405-794-8072

[okie25]

I do go up to the city a few times a month to load at one of the fuel racks up there. Hopefully ill have some free time when I go up there.

I looked up that address on google maps and brought up street view. I think I see the place. It's a white house with a huge antenna for a base behind it lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[sonoma]

the shop is right behind the house. it is a cinder block 2 car garage looking building. sign on the front of it says Kelly electronics. you can just park in the road in front of the shop. all 18 wheelers park there until he gets them going.

[str8stroke]

Sound like your getting what you needed. But a few comments. Your close to getting it to working. SWR is the key right now. And make sure your setting it properly. Be in a open area, not under any trees or near a building or something. Close the doors on your rig. Patients is the key to the SWR game. It seems confusing & tricky at first, but with some practice you should be able to get it going. When tuned properly that rig should give you a few miles of usability. I put one in a truck like yours and on a good day (condition wise) we talked clean across town to another mobile. Thats about 8 miles. Its so easy to adjust, that I do it for everyone for free! I just enjoy getting folks on the air. Too bad were so far away or I would get ya going. Also others have mentioned. Stay away from the dual antenna set ups. Its way more complicated than u could ever imagine. And your correct one antenna is for your Music.

Just wanted to give you a idea. Hang in there and come back with any questions.