new to cb, clueless

[jbaustin10]

hi i just put a cobra 29 lt classic in my truck with a 12 foot cable and mounted a 3 foot generic brand whip mounted to my back rack, my friend also mounted the same set up, we can talk with in like a 10 foot range, i feel like were missing somthing, no idea how to tune or how the radio even works really, any one that could point me in the right direction would be appreciated

 

[9C1Driver]

SWR - what is it, and why is it so important?

How to use a SWR meter - CBradiomagazine.com - YouTube

 

[74IN]

What truck, what type of antenna mount and where (dunno what you mean by a "back rack"), is it a fiberglass whip? The details matter for you to get help.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=cobra%2029%20classic%20manual&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cobra.com%2FManuals%2F29LTDCLASSIC_MANL.pdf&ei=o10NT7DUIYeugQfzlPi2Bw&usg=AFQjCNFdb7_8Zj3yv8jSpWNR9zYetJ86JQ&cad=rja

Give that a read for a start..

 

[443]

Lots of times when "new guys" install antennas for first time on headache racks they short out the center of the mounting stud (the part the antenna screws onto) to the grounded headache rack and that's your problem. Make sure you have the little plastic spacer that goes around the center stud installed correctly, use an ohmmeter, check the center stud and make sure it's not grounded to the headache rack. If you need help with it, go to a mechanic shop or an old guy with a CB at a gas station or something and tell him what I told you and he will know what to show you that you did wrong.

 

[Wrench]

"an old guy with a CB at a gas station"

So, they are the experts? Now that's funny!

 

[RatsoW8]

mechanic shop or an old guy with a CB at a gas station.

More commonly referred to in the CB world as "My Tech" or "The tech I've bee n going to for years".

 

[psycho]

What truck, what type of antenna mount and where (dunno what you mean by a "back rack"), is it a fiberglass whip? The details matter for you to get help.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=cobra%2029%20classic%20manual&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cobra.com%2FManuals%2F29LTDCLASSIC_MANL.pdf&ei=o10NT7DUIYeugQfzlPi2Bw&usg=AFQjCNFdb7_8Zj3yv8jSpWNR9zYetJ86JQ&cad=rja

Give that a read for a start..

He did say that he was clueless. At least he can talk 10 ft.....I can talk a hundred yards without an antenna hooked up.

 

[Whiplash-265]

BACKRACK

where's the antenna mounted?
i originally had a set of 4' twins on mine (box height) but the range really blew...no where as short as 10 feet but no more than 20 miles

 

[hotrod]

hi i just put a cobra 29 lt classic in my truck with a 12 foot cable and mounted a 3 foot generic brand whip mounted to my back rack, my friend also mounted the same set up, we can talk with in like a 10 foot range, i feel like were missing somthing, no idea how to tune or how the radio even works really, any one that could point me in the right direction would be appreciated

1st and most important ANTENNA .your cb is only as good as the antenna lets it.so lets
say ya got a 80.00 dollar radio and 20 dollar antenna its not gonna work well
antenna install is very important also. for starting out i highly recommend using
just a mag mount antenna until ya get more into it.
good choices are
wilson antennas wilson 1000 is what id recommend for u. its 5ft in lenth and comes with
coax and mag mount.you can/should check your standing wave [swr] someone already posted a video about it.NEVER atempt to tune your cb ya can seriously screw it up.if ya want more
audio add a power mic i like the d104 m6b .goto copper.com and ya can find all this

 

[ThirstyBoots440]

There are many common misconceptions when it comes to radios. Everyone has their own opinion on what someone should start with in the RF world. Let's just say all those posted above me have pointed out everything I would also. But maybe, just maybe it hasn't been mentioned, how your coax has been run. If it's in a tight bend or pinch, there's a chance the center conductor has migrated and is causing a short in your antenna system. You definitely need to check your SWRs or have them checked by someone that knows what they're doing.

You will want to step away from "bargain" type antennas and get something decent, I'm not saying go get the best competition style you can, anything other than those cheap fiberglass whips sold in truckstops is an improvement. However, Wilson Silverload antennas are good, a general rule of thumb I like to follow is, I never buy a fiberglass antenna shorter than 4' long.

You say you have a Cobra 29, as does your buddy. You both have built in SWR meters on the radios to help get you in the general range of where you should be. I honestly don't put much faith in those meters, but it WILL read close to what your readings are. It will put you in the safe range anyway. You'll want to make sure all parts of the antenna stud are put together properly, that your coax is in good shape, and that you have a good ground for your antenna bracket/mounting location.

I agree that a mag mount would be good but as you already have something to work with, I say go with it. If you were to buy a mag, I'd recommend a Wilson 500, 1000, or 5000. They're all great for what they are. Best of luck to you, let us know how it works out.