Hubbazoot
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Saudi-Arvada, CO
Anyone know where I can get a CB radio tuned? I'm only able to transmit on this bugger for about a quarter mile, and then I lose it. Areas closer to wadsworth and I-70 are preferable.
CB radio tuning?
- Thread starter Hubbazoot
- Start date
- Location
- Golden, CO
x2, inquiring minds would like to know.
Coastie
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Upper Peninsula, Michigan
You don't tune the radio so much as the antenna.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/Equipment/How-to-Tune-a-C-B-Radio-Antenna.htm
That was my guide when I first tuned mine. Gotta have a SWR meter, I scored mine off of eBay for 4 bucks.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/Equipment/How-to-Tune-a-C-B-Radio-Antenna.htm
That was my guide when I first tuned mine. Gotta have a SWR meter, I scored mine off of eBay for 4 bucks.
Mudderoy
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Katy, Texas
Antenna is 90% of any good radio station.
What antenna, where is it mounted? Did you check and adjust for lowest SWR?
What antenna, where is it mounted? Did you check and adjust for lowest SWR?
Frank Z
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Colorado Springs
You might want to take a look at these links.
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/SWR_Testing.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm
Typically high SWR can cause poor Tx and can damage the radio. One of the most common causes of high SWR is a poor ground. Another link...
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Mnt-Grnd.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/swr-causes.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/SWR_Testing.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Setting_SWR.htm
Typically high SWR can cause poor Tx and can damage the radio. One of the most common causes of high SWR is a poor ground. Another link...
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/Mnt-Grnd.htm
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/swr-causes.htm
Hubbazoot
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Saudi-Arvada, CO
I have a magnetic antenna. I have not adjusted it at all since I got it and am having some reception issues. It's mounted on my roof, and I have not really adjusted it since I hooked it up.
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Hubbazoot
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Saudi-Arvada, CO
bump. Bought a SWR tuner.
Mudderoy
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Katy, Texas
Good bump, I missed this post in the e-mails.
What is the make and model of your SWR meter? I ask because I need to tell you how to set it before you can read the SWR. If you already know how to do this we can skip ahead.
I'll come back to that part after you respond.
Basically what you need to do is either shorten or lenghten the antenna. You do this by unscrewing the hex bolt near the base of the stinger. The SWR meter will tell you when you have it adjusted correctly.
This adjustment must be made where the antenna is mounted, and you need to be away from it when checking the SWR. The water in your body will reflect the RF back into the antenna and could cause a false reading. (Yeah you'd have to be pretty close to it).
After connecting the SWR meter between the radio and the antenna (unscrew the antenna cable from the back of the radio and put this in the "antenna" jack of the SWR meter. Use a RG58 (RG8 is ok) jumper to connect the SWR meter to the radio and the remaining "open" jack on the meter.
Keep your transmissions short. 2 to 5 seconds, then wait 10 seconds before transmitting again.
When you transmit the 3 to 4 watts is being sent out the radio to the antenna. If the antenna's length is not matched to the frequency you are transmitting on a portion of that RF energy is "reflected" back to the radio. This will cause heat in the final RF power transistor(s) and cause it to fail. This is one reason why you want your antenna properly tuned to the radio. The other reason is a properly tuned antenna will receive signals better and will allow you to have stronger signals on your radio's receiver.
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Mudderoy
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Katy, Texas
Now you need to calibrate, or set your meter so you can read the SWR.
Once the meter is set you can check the SWR (usually be flipping the switch from set to SWR).
1.5:1 is a great SWR (lower is fine but not that important)
2.0:1 is ok, but you really should be able to get it lower.
3.0:1 is your limit. (I would NOT tolerate a SWR this high, there will be a noticeable lack of transmit and receive strength)
Tune your radio to channel 20 (approx. mid band) Once your antenna is tuned for channel 20 your SWR will raise about the same on channel 1 and channel 40. The idea here is to have the best performance in the middle of the band and evenly degraded performance as you move away from this channel.
You can tune for a specific channel if you like.
You should be able to have less than a 2.0:1 SWR from channel 1 to 40. Probably something nothing higher than 1.7:1
Anyway press the transmit button (while on channel 20) and read your SWR.
Hopefully it doesn't just peg the needle well past 3.0:1. (If it does you'll just have to shorten the antenna, or lengthen until you get a reading lower)
Now tune to channel 1, note your SWR
Tune to channel 40, note your SWR.
If the SWR is higher on channel 1 than 20 you need to make the antenna length longer.
If 40 is higher than 20 your antenna length needs to be shorter.
Using this information loosen the hex bolt holding the antenna stinger. Adjust the antenna in or out, by about 1/8 of an inch. Tighten the hex bolt and check the SWR on channel 20.
You may need to check 1 and 40 and keep comparing the SWR readings until you get the lowest reading on channel 20, and the SWR goes up as you increase the channel, or decrease the channel. Once you get to this point your antenna in tuned to the center of the CB band.
Remember that you need to do all these adjustments where the antenna is going to be used.
If you move the antenna later you should re-check the SWR and adjust accordingly.
I'm sure it would be fine to move it or even to another vehicle, but if the point is to hear, and be heard, take the time to re-tune the antenna for best results.
** THERE IS A POSIBILITY THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT THE STINGER SHORTER. DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO LOWER YOUR SWR **
You can't put back what you cut off!!! You always cut from the bottom of the stinger, not the top.
Once the meter is set you can check the SWR (usually be flipping the switch from set to SWR).
1.5:1 is a great SWR (lower is fine but not that important)
2.0:1 is ok, but you really should be able to get it lower.
3.0:1 is your limit. (I would NOT tolerate a SWR this high, there will be a noticeable lack of transmit and receive strength)
Tune your radio to channel 20 (approx. mid band) Once your antenna is tuned for channel 20 your SWR will raise about the same on channel 1 and channel 40. The idea here is to have the best performance in the middle of the band and evenly degraded performance as you move away from this channel.
You can tune for a specific channel if you like.
You should be able to have less than a 2.0:1 SWR from channel 1 to 40. Probably something nothing higher than 1.7:1
Anyway press the transmit button (while on channel 20) and read your SWR.
Hopefully it doesn't just peg the needle well past 3.0:1. (If it does you'll just have to shorten the antenna, or lengthen until you get a reading lower)
Now tune to channel 1, note your SWR
Tune to channel 40, note your SWR.
If the SWR is higher on channel 1 than 20 you need to make the antenna length longer.
If 40 is higher than 20 your antenna length needs to be shorter.
Using this information loosen the hex bolt holding the antenna stinger. Adjust the antenna in or out, by about 1/8 of an inch. Tighten the hex bolt and check the SWR on channel 20.
You may need to check 1 and 40 and keep comparing the SWR readings until you get the lowest reading on channel 20, and the SWR goes up as you increase the channel, or decrease the channel. Once you get to this point your antenna in tuned to the center of the CB band.
Remember that you need to do all these adjustments where the antenna is going to be used.
If you move the antenna later you should re-check the SWR and adjust accordingly.
I'm sure it would be fine to move it or even to another vehicle, but if the point is to hear, and be heard, take the time to re-tune the antenna for best results.
** THERE IS A POSIBILITY THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT THE STINGER SHORTER. DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO LOWER YOUR SWR **
You can't put back what you cut off!!! You always cut from the bottom of the stinger, not the top.
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Hubbazoot
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Saudi-Arvada, CO
Not sure what brand it is, but it's off of ebay. Should be here sometime next week.
Thanks for the howtos, I'll let you guys know how much it was off by and such as soon as I get my tuner and have time to get it all set up.
Thanks for the howtos, I'll let you guys know how much it was off by and such as soon as I get my tuner and have time to get it all set up.
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Sting25
twitter.com/cmchadwick
- Location
- Wheat Ridge, Colorado
I can help with this I have 2 swr meters as well as an antenna analyzer. We can a have your antenna tuned day. I am in wheat ridge close to Apple Jacks Liqueur.
73 nova
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Arvada, CO
I need some help tunning my antenna located at Ralston and Wadsworth
I can meet you or what ever and what is ur price.
MelloYello
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Arvada, CO
SBS Electronics in Wheat Ridge (44th and Harlen) http://www.sbselectronics.com/
They know there stuff when it comes to CBs and all electronics. Josh, the owner, is a good dude and will treat you right.
They know there stuff when it comes to CBs and all electronics. Josh, the owner, is a good dude and will treat you right.
mcantar18c
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Fayettnam
Hi noob :wave:
Welcome to
.Word of advice before posting stuff: Check the date of the most recent post.
This thread was over a year old before you revived it... the chances that Sting25 will see your post are slim.
And when you're asking somebody for stuff like this, send them a PM instead of posting up in the open forum.
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