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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT,, CBs and antennas

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ChadS

02-07-2007 17:48:10




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Ive had this ol cobra 29LTD classic CB Ive used for years in my semi trucks,,, Ive always wanted to turn it up, to reach out farther. Right now, I can reach out about 3 miles,,,, catch a skip and it may get up to 8mi. Uses a typical cobra 25 inch magnet mount antenna,, the antenna light always seems to come on when I key it up,, but sounds clear as a bell,, so Im looking into getting it tuned up,, maybe add the echo into it, but never knew exactly how, or what they do to em. What kind of radio's do you all use, and how far can they reach out? Dad has an old base station unit,,, came over on the mayflower,,,, but I can remember when I was a kid,,, he would key up the mic, and if there was any ice on the moonraker antenna it would melt it off real quick. if you had a mobile in the car,, and it was turned off,, this one would make em turn on!!! LOL,, Breaker 19 for a radio check!!!! Chad

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beperson83

02-09-2007 09:33:12




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
I have a Cobra CB. I cant get anything, its all just static. Every once in a while I can hear people, but I dont know if they can hear me. I was talkin to a trucker that I hunt with and he said the truck stops can "tune it in" for me. I was woundering if this is possible or if he was just yanking my chain (hes been known to do that ha ha).



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Oldmax

02-08-2007 17:27:39




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
I don't ues Chicken Band Since I got Ham ticket just use 2 Mtr ham 50 watt raidio, can talk about 50 to 100 miles tru local repeater with no background noise in most app only need a 1/4 wave antenna 19 1/2" .



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jpl

02-08-2007 05:53:39




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
I have a cobra 29 in my freightliner, got out a couple miles, stopped in fla at cb shop had the swr set, they trimmed my antennae, its only a 4 foot on mirrow, i can now get out about6 miles, which is plenty for me. my son picked me up one day he was about 12 miles away. he uses my old,old, old, ge cb, that thing really gets out.



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Case Lady

02-08-2007 05:40:56




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
I have a Cobra Lmt. Edition that I run with. And a Wilson 5000 on top. I don't yack on it much, but if I have something to say, it gets heard for a ways. For the sake of the rest of the folks, if you do put the echo chip in, turn down the racket. Sometimes, those are fun, but most of the time, they are just annoying. Been around truckers all my life and it is just a way of life, I like to listen to traffic reports and it is good company on long drives - sometimes I get pretty tickled at what folks will say about passing scenery. Yall take care and have a good'un. CL

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RAB

02-07-2007 23:18:55




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
Before you go pumping out half a kilowatt, like some below claim, think about other users. Every time you key-up, they get your signal over the one they actually want (for miles and miles around), but they can not get out to you, to ask you nicely to go to another channel, "cos you are out of their transmission range. That is why the power output was limited in the first place - so if you can get to them, you can receive them.
RAB

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johndeeregene

02-07-2007 22:30:00




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
first off you have a bad ground on your antenna that is why the light is comin on. forget the mag antenna. get a wilson for franzin or something like that at least 48in. your coax should be at least 18 foot. your cobra 29 has SWR meter on it. you can set your radio to your antenna by usin this, it is best if you use a real meter but i have always just used the radio. first go to 40 then switch the swr switch to cal. then key up, turn your cal dial to right before the read line on the meter. then key off. that set your radio to the antenna. . as to the power your radio is puttin out take it a rep repair shop, he will peak an tune your radio. you can put overdrive finals in it, such are in the galaxies. i have an used uniden predident grant radio an uniden 76 xl for years, my 76 is 8 watts contiuse an 40 watt swing. that is with the stock finals. that is just with peak an tuning. overdrive finals you can get quite a bit more. my president is puttin out over 50 watts, but you need to run alot better coax an better wire antennas. as to your mike, if you echo then have it an talkback put into your radio, but why. if just makes it hard for ya to be understood, but that is just my 2 cents worth. if you want a good mike there is only one mike to get, that is a turner roadking RK56, will cost ya around 50 or better just for the mike. it is the best there is an the only one that can actually be rebuilt if needed. an then make sure you have a static mike cord on what ever mike you pike or use. will stop alot of the future problems you will have with bad conections in the mike an the put goin into the radio. this is all just my 2 cents worth an you can take it for all its worth.
johndeeregene

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Rick(IA)

02-07-2007 20:08:54




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
Ditch the short antenna, get a 4' fiberglass stick, or a twin-trucker type antenna, or better yet a 108" whip, properly mounted. As suggested, set the SWR. Forget the echo mike. That will get you as good as it gets on CB. Five miles mobile-to-mobile is typical, maybe 10-15 if you're talking to a well equipped base station. If you need more range, get a business band setup for serious work, or study and get a ham ticket if you just want it for fun.

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dan hill

02-08-2007 02:41:35




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to Rick(IA), 02-07-2007 20:08:54  
When I was selling CB I tried many mobile antennas.The long whip fared best, so did the 4 foot stick on the ball mount.I talked to a fellow about 20 miles away on the long and short whip.Other types couldnt make it.



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Rick Reed

02-07-2007 19:22:34




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
set the swr's, standing wave ratio, the 29 has an swr meter built in. set the switch to cal, key the mike and adjust the meter to zero. then set the switch to swr. put the cb on channel one, key the mike and read the number. then put the cb on channnel 40,key the mike and get the numbers. if the numbers are higher on channel 1 adjust the antenna mast up. if the numbers are higher on channel 40 adjust it down. the antenna needs a very good ground. I used a magnetic antenna on top of my refrigerator and talked 5 miles.

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jc

02-07-2007 19:11:32




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
Get off of him about the echo board. He knows what he wants. Thing is he'll never hear it.



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SMARPLE

02-07-2007 19:20:45




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to jc, 02-07-2007 19:11:32  
WHEN HE HAS IT TUNED HAVE SHOP ADD TALK BACK.
WITHOUT IT NO ONE WILL UNDERSTAND HIM IF ECHO IS APPLIED TO STRONG.



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SMARPLE

02-07-2007 19:09:46




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
CHECK SWR WITH METER 1.5 IS BEST.29 HAS SWR CAL CAL SWITCH ADJ TO LOWEST SCALE READING IN SWR SETTING .CHECK COAX WITH OHM METER FOR CONTINUITY SHOULD BE OPEN. THINK ABOUT BETTER ANTENNA.PEAK AND TUNE IS NORMALLY ABOUT $25
AT SHOP.YOU CAN ACHIEVE ABOUT 8 WATTS SAFELY
WITHOUT HARM TO RADIO.



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Jim in NC

02-07-2007 19:05:28




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
You need to tune the antenna to your Radio. You will need a SWR meter(standing wave ratio). It is not hard to do. The purpose is to match the antenna length to the signal wavelength being transmitted or received. The meters are not expensive, and you may find one at Radio Shack. I know you could find one on line. During this process, you will either lengthen or shorten the antenna. Make sure all your coax connections especially at the connectors are good-no shorts or loose wire.. I have messed with these things since the early 70s. I don't talk much anymore since most of my radio buddies have passed away. I still have tbe base station set up as well as mobiles in the vehicles. They do come in handy on trips. Some radios have swr meters built in them like my base radio, but I don't think yours has one. I can tell you how to check it if you decide to do it yourself. Also, your antenna should be mounted on or near a flat surface away from vertical objects such as other antennas. Most antennas that I have tuned tend to be adjusted to the shorter side. If I had to tune one without a meter, I would shorten it as much as possible and see if someone will give you a radio check, then lengthen a little and see if it is better. A low swr will also help your reception as well. A really good antenna is worth the money if you will be using it alot. Hope this helps.

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Brian in Ohio

02-07-2007 18:57:08




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
I've run with everything from a Cobra 29, up to Galaxy Radios. One thing I've found is to not skimp on the antenna. I've used a Wilson 1000 on my truck, and have had great success with it. I've currently have a Cobra 148 with 400 watt linear, and Astatic Mike, and have talked all over the place with it.

So, if you think you want to tune things up, be sure to upgrade the antenna.



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SuperA-Tx

02-07-2007 18:56:55




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
I had a booster but I cant remember how many watts or amps it boosted it too, I think it was 500 ?. It was pretty powerful, I had to have a special antena to use it in the truck. I used it inside too with a base station and a moonraker omni directional antenna. I had to bring a battery inside when I did that, was kind of a pain. The base was a Realistic (Radio Shack) brand and had USB and LSB. I tried it one time and reached 30 miles and peged the persons meter I was talking too.

Well all thats been years ago and I cant remember it all. I would forget the echo, it always bugged me. 10-4 good buddy.

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Roger...Roger...Roger....

02-07-2007 18:16:58




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
"I gocha,,,, go ahead....!"
You have a bodashus little radio right there,,,, tha lil 29. Just take it to one of those good ol boys at the truck stop and have it peaked out. Look on Ebay for your echo, and they even sell linears,,,,, ,, some are rightly priced for an experiment to see if ya really like it. I have an old Tram 23 channel that I used back in tha 70s when I was trailer truckin,,,,, bought me a house converter and put up a big ol Radio Shack 18' house antenna,,,,, and I can melt some ice too,,,,, , as I give local information to the Big Rigs that pass thru this hi country town in Wyoming. I have the repeater, and can give some of that too if I get in the mood,,,, thats right, thats right, thats right, Mr. mr. mr.,,,,, truck driver, truck driver, truck driver.
HAVE FUN,,,,, BE NICE. Don't agravate the guy out there having a bad day,,,,, just let him go on by,,,,, or turn it off if it is annoying. There are so many CB Rambos out there being Mr. tuff guy or just being MEAN,,,,, you will never beat him,,,,, so don't join him.

Good luck, and really,,,
that lil cobra is one of the finest for the money to juss peak it out and get a good antenna. A couple guys have passed this way and I have asked,,,,, "Man, what kind of radio are you talkin on",,,,, and two or three have mentioned the Cobra 29.

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buickanddeere

02-07-2007 18:01:18




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to ChadS, 02-07-2007 17:48:10  
Sounds like the radio's 5 watts of power isn't being efficiently turned into radio waves. Odds are there is an anteena or cable impedance miss-match, high resistance or shorted connectors, coax cable problems sort or open and an antenna that isn't mounted with a good ground plane. A base radio hooked to a coat hanger should go 3 miles. Only a red neck would think CB echo sounds good.



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beperson83

02-12-2007 08:42:52




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 Re: OT,, CBs and antennas in reply to buickanddeere, 02-07-2007 18:01:18  
I have the Cobra hooked straight to the battery, not to the fuse box. Would that be a reason why I cant get anything?



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