ok, i'm at a loss

[Whiplash-265]

Hi again everyone. Hopefully I've got the right section. If not, mods please re-locate

Looking for some resolve to continuing issues, especially now that i've upgraded things from my original install. My range, to put it mildly...SUCKS!! I was getting better range using a Cobra 75WXST firing from dual 4' firestix. I was averaging around a 5 mile maximum range, but the noise was atrocious and honestly the radio (according to those i was able to contact) sounded like shyt (even from those 50 feet away i was shadowing on trips). My vocal was many times undistinguishable (garbled).

This led me to invest a few hundred more dollars in a much better rig (Magnum 257HP) with much better filtering, mike gain, rf gain etc etc...as well, i really missed the days of driving down the highways of Southern Ontario with my AR3500 and talking with the Bahamas and Portugal in the land of DX. At the same time I figured I'd step up my game to a Wilson 5000 magnet mount as the mounting of my twin firestix left about half the height of the antennas along with 30% of each blocked by the pickup's cab.
I have 38lsb'd with one gentleman in Toronto (25 miles) but I snuck in barely above the noise level...where at the same time I lost my uncle in less then 2 miles (ch3am).

I am quickly becoming discouraged Obviously I'm doing something very wrong? :headbang

I'll start with some basic info (beyond the above mentioned) in the event anyone can help me figure out the errors in my transition

Vehicle: 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab
Wiring: 8ga. from battery, through 200a circuit breaker to distribution block. Common ground to dash framing.
Antenna: Wilson 5000 mounted on roof approximately 10" from rear of cab
Running SWR in-line and have a "decent" multi-meter. All grounds seem to be fine as far as I can see. Have check against antenna ground to door latch (which should lead to frame ground), leads are a little short to reach actual frame. Averaging 1.3 to 1.5 between 1 and 40 regardless of power.
I do have a cheaper 12v/200w linear, should i lower the radio output and add it in-line?

any help would be appreciated, thanx in advance

some pix attached (links), can get more if needed
also, if it turns out the twin antennas are going to be better for my local conversations, how would i best set up the 5k for DX??

again, thanx

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25598532/Magnum257hp.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25598532/circuitbreaker.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25598532/lbrackets.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25598532/twins.jpg

 

[9C1Driver]

Thats very odd. With a Wilson 5000 on the roof and that 80 watt radio you should be talking many many times farther then 5 miles. A Wilson on the roof beats dual sticks any day on a pickup. There really is no difference as far as local or DX talking in the mobile if you have a high end antenna dialed in right.

I would not run a small amp with that 257HP. Is your truck a deisel? Is the problem noise on the receive or transmitting range or both?

 

[Whiplash-265]

that's what i thought too 9C1
i even went as far as replacing the coax connector that was originally on the antenna with the heavier duty one they included with it...it did improve my original swr readings so i must have taken one step in the right direction

thanx for verifying i'm right in my beliefs i do have issues

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

what are your conditions like there ? when static or skip is very strong you cant talk as far because theres a much higher noise level or skip levels .

 

[Superidgit]

From my experience and from what I have read here on the forums. I have learned one thing.

For each and every set-up and install, This set-up and install will be different for each individual. Maybe just maybe your set-up with your vehichle and equipment just wont work.


That being said, You could try to move your mag mount a bit more forward or backward on your cab. That vehichle has a lot of roof top on it.

As Booty said before, conditions do apply here. Check under your mag mount make theres no moisture present.

Also Power does have some ( and I mean some here... no flames please) on transmitting range, but to achieve these noticable differences means lotsa power.


Also one question for you. You definitly admitted that your TX range is down.
Is your recieve any better or worse? I mean can you still hear your contacts you were making before?

 

[nobody]

I all ways preferred the single 102 " whip with a spring.

I'm still learning about this stuff but is the radio getting the correct voltage and or amperage? How many watts is it actually putting out the radio to the antenna? I understand it has a variable power control and you stated the SWR reading stayed the same regardless of power settings. It's my under standing the more power you put out the more the SWR is effected?

 

[Whiplash-265]

Booty Monster..
levels seemed the same when talking to my uncle on both radios, the only difference seemed to be the radio/antenna combination...dx levels have been down in the gutter this way for a couple of months now everywhere but 6am lol

Superidgit..
Hello again and welcome to round 2
I'll try moving the W5k more toward center of the roof, hell i'll even try adding a plate to be backrack and see if a 1/8" thick piece of steel will help create some form of ground plane just in case that's my prob
definitely still no signs of water between coil and mount or between magnet and roof

nobody..
can't remember what the radio calls for, but i do know whatever the radio wants it's gonna get 200a circuit breaker on the firewall and 100a bladefuse at the block...i use to run 3000w stereos with this gear so i know i'm not choking the juice
if i remember right i'm doing 12w on am and ssb breaks the 60w..
originally i was getting sway on the power output even with recalibrating the meter after adjustments, but after adding the heavier coax connector it appears much less varying...

will re-check and record swr readings again tomorrow am

thanx again guys!!

 

[W5LZ]

If you mentioned it I just missed seeing it, but did you tune that 5000? All antennas require a little tweaking, none are just right 99% of the time. I would expect that 5000 to perform at least as well as the duals you were using.
Typical band conditions are just not what they used to be unfortunately, but they will be getting better. From what you've described, I think you've improved your set up if that's in doubt. There's nothing you can do to improve the band conditions except wait. (If you can 'cuddle' Momma Nature into a better mood, please do so! We'd all appreciate that.)
What you are seeing is about like it is here so I don't think you've got any huge problems going.
- 'Doc

 

[Whiplash-265]

hey Doc..

yes, i started with Wilson's prescribed 1" (for CB) and played with it from there to come up with the best i could get which as it sits now is between a 1.3 and 1.5
i will try relocating the antenna again, this time more towards center of roof and play with it some more. If that doesn't seem to improve things i'll try the steel plate i mentioned. I'm trying to stay away from the 102", i'm already tapping away at tree branches and narrowly missing power lines lol

and ya, i'll have a li'l chat with Mum and let her know what we're all looking for...it's about time she let go of the menopause excuse (she is getting on in years, but c'mon...enough already)

your continued help is truly appreciated everyone!!!

 

[Robb]

Sounds like your radio is DISTORTING. Nobody can talk to someone running a radio that is distorting. How can they understand you if you do respond back to them? You may well be transmitting very well - power wise. But your audio quality might SUCK. That is also the reason you aren't getting out.

When I wrote the review for the 257HP, I said that the mic CAN be turned up inside the mic. That doesn't mean that it SHOULD be turned up ALL of the way. It will distort if it is up too high! If you took the mic apart and turned it up all of the way; then open it back up and back it off 1/3.

I have heard people on the air that said they opened up the mic and turned it all of the way up, and then it sounded like crap. No surprise there - eh? Not all mics are set up the same; so SOME might be too low and others too high.

Keep the mic gain or the radio at the 12 o'clock position. Between re-adjusting the mic itself - internally - and then the mic gain on the radio itself down; between these adjustments should get it work. Work with that until you do. Then re-check the audio with another close by radio operator and see if the audio is clean and clear. These radios can sound outstanding IF they are just adjusted properly.

If you run a radio with distorted audio output into a linear, you are just making this situation much worse.

Are there any local stations that you can get a radio check from?

Did you use a power meter to see how much power the radio is putting out?

Your antenna SWR sounds fine. That doesn't sound like the issue here to me. But then again, it is a bit hard to diagnose so many issues at once too.

If you are running a linear on this radio, I wouldn't do that until you get everything running correctly first.

If you cannot sort the problems out yourself, take it to to the nearest CB truck stop that has a radio tech - if you can.

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

when moving the antenna around be sure to check your vswr since it may change when you change its location on the vehicle .

also you can talk farther on ssb than am , but that radio and antenna should be able to talk much much farther than 2 miles . what is your dads setup ? is he the only one you are getting poor signal reports from ? id suggest making more contacts with different folks and get their opinion of your signal .

BTW , the stock mic on that radio is a power mic with a pot inside that you may need to turn up to increase your modulation , you can still control the mics input to the radio with the mic gain pot on the radio .

http://www.cbradiomagazine.com/Radio Reviews/Magnum 257 HP/Magnum 257 HP.htm

 

[Whiplash-265]

morning guys

the distortion to TX was when i was using the Cobra. i mentioned it in explaining my reasoning for ditching the 75wxst and moving to the 257
I did read your review Robb (as well as "CBradiomagazine's) and you both mentioned to leave the mike be so i haven't even considered opening it. I run the gain on the radio between 1/2 and 3/4. That one time I was able to talk to my uncle we did have a minute to play and he said "to him" it sounded best at 3/4. Internally the only adjustment was going from Com2 to Com3 (ya, it came on Com2??). Clarifier sits dead center, RF gain maxxed, Mike gain 1/2 way unless looking for that extra little kick (to 3/4) trying DX contacts, squelch always minimal and internal amp is usually between 1/2 and full again depending on attempt at contact. I don't think there's too many base stations out this end anymore but i'll keep scouting out the airwaves and hope for a cordial soul

YA, anytime i make an adjustment to anything i re-check the readings and make adjustments if needed. I've left the meter in-line, tucked away inside the center console.
My uncle is using (i believe) a Realistic mini-40 (untweaked) along with a K40 magnet mount - but this is the same unit he was using prior to my switch-over so at least one side of the equation has remained constant

Nearest tech is 1.5 hrs away, same guys that sold me the old and new equipment. Hope their hourly rates aren't that bad lol

again, much thanx gentlemen

 

[nobody]

Do you get a lot of engine noise coming through your radio? Has any dash lights came on since hooking your radio up? Just curious I have a 99 Ram and get a lot of engine noise in my Galaxy 959 and I think it also was causing the seat belt light to come on. I was able to cut some of it out by rerouting the coax ( the coax was running parallel with the power cables) and by attaching the ground wire to the battery. Routing the ground wire to the battery only helped a tiny bit but with the coax away from all the power lines made a big difference. Even with that the engine noise is still terrible IMO. I don't know if it effected my transmitted signal or not.

 

[Mr Clean]

Try running that antenna about 4 inchers from the back of the quad cab. Thats odd. A 5000 works great on my little nissan. Hope you get it figured out. If you could find somone with a mjf 259 that would help. Good luck!

 

[Whiplash-265]

nobody:
nothing compared to the Cobra i was running, and that's even with the rf gain cranked all the way...i do get little bits (especially when giving the Hemi the pedal ) but honestly it's night and day. nothing as far as dash lights either. i thought i'd get more noise after reading that this Magnum is really receptive, and that i dash mounted it, but after the switch-up i couldn't be happier in that regard

Mr Clean: Will give that a shot. Hopefully getting together with my uncle tomorrow to play for a few hours. I'll be trying every placement possible I'll google mjf259 and see what i can do about getting my hands on one.

I did make it out to the "Radio place", they tried vocally offering some help. I was going to get the Echo/talkback mike...even walked out of the store with it. Then walked back in when i found out it was only a 4 pin Needless to say they didnt have the 5 pin in stock...BUT i did grab a Diawa antenna switcher. Not sure if that did something good (yet to meter it as i also added another 3ft patch) or it was when i swapped out the connector on the W5k but I was able to talk to my uncle for probably 15 miles this time, same channel (3am). Do I see light at the end of the tunnel?

much thanx again everyone!!