Radio on very low static only

[retblue]

I have a Uniden 76xl- all the lights are on - new coax and new ball mount- (the stud bolt is black steel to the antenna) the antenna is a 20yr old firestick I checkd the SWR seems fine according to the onboard SWR meter- the squelch is all the way down I added an external speaker and still low volume- the radio is straight hard wired to the battery Y=The mike is attached securely any chance the antenna is bad? I bought this radio 2nd hnd by a reputable dealer.The mount itself is grounded according to the multi meter- any ideas?

[51]

we need a little more info, does the static level and volume change when you drive around to different places? are stations you receive quiet and low on the s meter too? or loud and clear? do people hear you fine?

right off the bat i would say dump that antenna, 1. its a firestik, 2. its 20 yrs old
there are quite a few good antenna options on the market now.

[retblue]

nothing at all just very low static- I didn't even leave the driveway- I adjusted the SWR and the needle don't move past 1 on the meter- I believe my 25yr old antenna is BO. so that may be one reason? also the vehicle was not running and the power from the battery was only 11.0 volts

[MDYoungblood]

Could be a bad antenna but you wouldn't have gotten a good SWR reading if it was, my guess it is location. Take a ride out to a open area and see if there is any difference, at least the ride will charge the battery up. Need a new antenna, check out the forum's sponsors.

3's

Greg

[sidjones1]

Hey Vic, I myself am recently back on the air too. Back in the day, I was used to 8 lbs of static, ppl talking on most of the channels, and skip rolling in every day. Now I find 2-3 lbs of static on my base and very few ppl talking, even on 19. I can scan the band and sometimes not find anyone for hours. I finally found 2 channels with ppl talking on them. Channel 20 & 28 and usually in the am or at night. I agree with others here about looking for a new antenna. Although your swr looks good, a better antenna may get you out further to hear others. I would look at some of the Wilson antennas. Best of luck.... 73s.

[sidjones1]

Oopsie.....I forgot, I am on the flat side with my base now which is much quieter too. Perhaps the noise level is higher than 2-3lbs.

[retblue]

yup getting a new antenna on payday- see if that works its a start thanks

[retblue]

ok new fire stick twist top tune on board- new coax new ball mount still only static and I am less than a mile from a major freeway- PA works good but nothing on any channels also will NOT tune below 2 on sr meter I am beginning that maybe this radio is BO?

[retblue]

Uniden 76XL its a refurb I understand- I ran a new coax I got a new ball mount installed, I got a new Firestick tunable antenna, I am about a mile from a major freeway and the lights on the radio come on- good sound from the pa, new direct to battery power supply, the SWR is about a 2 on the onboard swr meter- but other than low fuzzy static there is nothing- how can I see if the radio is bad? The local guy wants 30 bucks to check it out I only spent 20 bucks on the radio- Am I missing something other than the possibility of a bo radio?

Message from moderator MDY

merged with similar topic by member

[MDYoungblood]

Now a days the static level runs pretty low in my area, about 1 to 2 S units on the meter. What antenna is it you bought (how long too), are you using a spring along with the mount, where on the vehicle is the mount located, just a few questions plus anything else you can think of will help us figure out the problem.

3's

Greg