CB Radio question

Topic: CB Radio question (Read 1027 times) previous topic - next topic

CB Radio question

June 27, 2022, 07:49:21 pm

Ok I know no one uses them anymore but we are leaving with 2 other couples going to New Mexico and Arizona. Bother couples use their CB's to chit chat etc. My coach has a CB but I can't get any reception. It powers up and scans but no traffic or weather. I don't think the antenna is connected. Here are a couple of pictures of the roof. Any suggestions or opinions are welcome.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #1 – June 27, 2022, 07:57:39 pm

Yup you are right. The metal connect that you have ion the drivers side is the antennae. Your has been either taken off or broke off I replaced my old worn out fire stic with a new 2 foot one. A little setup and I was good to go

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #2 – June 27, 2022, 08:24:13 pm

Quote from: dicksop – June 27, 2022, 07:57:39 pm

Yup you are right. The metal connect that you have ion the drivers side is the antennae. Your has been either taken off or broke off I replaced my old worn out fire stic with a new 2 foot one. A little setup and I was good to go

Thank you for the information but I switched the antenna from the passenger side to the right (driver side) and no change. I can't even pick up the weather stations. Can you send me a link to the antenna your running. What is the antenna on the passenger side for? Thanks Eddie.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #3 – June 27, 2022, 08:27:08 pm

Just make sure the new antenna is appropriate for a non-metalic body (I.E. doesn't require a ground-plane) as most CB antennas radiate downward and need a ground-plane (metal body) to reflect upwards and keep the Standing Wave Reflection to a minimum. Best to go to or order from a Marina supplier. And make sure to blast the connection with some Deoxit as the corrosion will cause the no reception issue.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #4 – June 27, 2022, 08:33:13 pm

Quote from: bigdog – June 27, 2022, 08:27:08 pm

Just make sure the new antenna is appropriate for a non-metalic body (I.E. doesn't require a ground-plane) as most CB antennas radiate downward and need a ground-plane (metal body) to reflect upwards and keep the Standing Wave Reflection to a minimum. Best to go to or order from a Marina supplier. And make sure to blast the connection with some Deoxit as the corrosion will cause the no reception issue.

Maybe that's my issue now. I'll spray some kroll on it and see if that helps. It's definitely not making good continuity.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #5 – June 27, 2022, 08:47:30 pm

Fair chance that the stereo antenna is one side and the CB is the other.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #6 – June 27, 2022, 08:52:18 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – June 27, 2022, 08:47:30 pm

Fair chance that the stereo antenna is one side and the CB is the other.

I'll see if I can find another antenna for the cb(same mount both sides). It's obviously not working for the cb but the radio works fine so I can put it back.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #7 – June 27, 2022, 08:53:57 pm

It would be nice to find a direct replacement for the CB

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #8 – June 27, 2022, 09:04:24 pm

The 3rd picture. That bracket is held down with an inch and a half (approximately) long Phillips head screw.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #9 – June 27, 2022, 09:19:43 pm

Amazon.com: FireStik FG2648-B Two Foot No-Ground Plane CB Antenna kit...
Must set up swr standing wave length and will need a swr meter to do.

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Re: CB Radio question

Reply #10 – June 27, 2022, 09:20:41 pm

Semi Truck Chrome Parts and Accessories | Iowa80.com

Best place for cb info and parts is truck stops.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #11 – June 27, 2022, 10:44:05 pm

Last Autumn when twig and Glenn and Amy and I went down to Mexico, was the first time I ever used my CB. I think that my antenna was disconnected. I had poor performance. Sometimes I can hear Amy on it, sometimes I could hear twig. But in the end it was not very helpful. I don't use the CB very often, but I'll tell you that in a caravan or coachvan, it's very nice to have. I wouldn't want to do another trip like that without a working CB and yet I have not replaced mine yet. The CBs in these coaches are 20 years old. I don't have a whole lot of faith in electronics that old. Not that it's the CB on my case. It might just be the antenna. Maybe I should put a new antenna on and then see before I buy a new CB, but these things are pretty cheap these days. My vote is to get it repaired before you get on the road. And you will enjoy it. Otherwise it's just noise.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #12 – June 28, 2022, 07:14:17 am

My problem is the mount is just odd to me. Its not your typical screw in CB mount. Thank you for all of the reply's. Ill keep digging around and see what I come up with.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #13 – June 28, 2022, 09:29:51 am

Reply to reply number 7,it's a Cobra,they have a direct replacement on their site and support info.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #14 – June 28, 2022, 10:56:07 am

The model firestik I have is the
FIR-FS2R

The mount which I replaced, and was a direct replacement from the OEM original is
Hustler HUS-SSM1

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #15 – June 28, 2022, 11:06:59 am

Please understand that this is not a plug and play installation. Although it may work it needs to be Tuned to you application. You just can't swap or change with another position and expect proper performance. Radios are also not created equal. Some work better and have the maximum legal output per the FCC. Currently no license required to operate.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #16 – June 28, 2022, 11:54:13 am

We just use our cobra walkie talkies. We can get a few miles between us and they still work. I don't thik we have ever made it 35 miles between us.

Amazon.com: COBRA ACXT645 Walkie Talkies - Water Resistant, Rechargeable...

With these the wifes can have them and they can chat back and forth.

Also helps when they have to go inside to pay for fuel, parking, and has let all of us know my friend's wife was locked in the back bathroom while he was going down the road. (Their coach locks the bathroom slide door from moving when coach is put into gear. )

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Re: CB Radio question

Reply #17 – June 28, 2022, 12:49:21 pm

Quote from: turbojack – June 28, 2022, 11:54:13 am

We just use our cobra walkie talkies. We can get a few miles between us and they still work. I don't thik we have ever made it 35 miles between us.

Amazon.com: COBRA ACXT645 Walkie Talkies - Water Resistant, Rechargeable...

With these the wifes can have them and they can chat back and forth.

Also helps when they have to go inside to pay for fuel, parking, and has let all of us know my friend's wife was locked in the back bathroom while he was going down the road. (Their coach locks the bathroom slide door from moving when coach is put into gear. )

Now that's funny! That's pretty impressive range. I'll check into them. Might be way easier to just get some handheld radios. I've got a vhf we use in the boat and they are good for an easy 10 miles.

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Re: CB Radio question

Reply #18 – June 28, 2022, 02:12:06 pm

Quote from: dsd – June 28, 2022, 11:06:59 am

...Radios are also not created equal. Some work better and have the maximum legal output per the FCC...

This triggered a memory, I had a Heathkit SB-200 linear amplifier for ham radio use some years ago. These are prized among CB'ers as the 10 meter band could be tweaked for use on the CB channels providing 600 watts of output power (aka a kicker). I sold it on eBay, of course mentioning in the listing "not legal for CB use".

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #19 – June 28, 2022, 02:51:34 pm

Quote from: prfleming – June 28, 2022, 02:12:06 pm

This triggered a memory, I had a Heathkit SB-200 linear amplifier for ham radio use some years ago. These are prized among CB'ers as the 10 meter band could be tweaked for use on the CB channels providing 600 watts of output power (aka a kicker). I sold it on eBay, of course mentioning in the listing "not legal for CB use".

Yep and Bi-linears were even nicer amplifying both directions

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #20 – June 28, 2022, 05:45:27 pm

This thread had me go out to my shop to see what remains of my CB days.

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #21 – June 28, 2022, 07:38:11 pm

Like that D-104

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #22 – June 28, 2022, 08:49:30 pm

So, Chuck, I'm sure you were careful to never run more than 4 watts out...🤣

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #23 – June 28, 2022, 08:54:53 pm

Wow, a Palomar, brings back memories of my buddies set up. He had a tube Palomar in the trunk of his Lincoln and ran 2 alternators to power it. Had a 500 watt bi-linear with a 2+2 power mike! When my buddy called for a break, he got it! At home he had a Yazoo with twin beams pushing over 2000 watts of power. He talked all over the world and was looking out for the FCC each and every day he was alive! I had a 250 watt bi-linear with a Cobra 21 and the Turner 2+2 mike back in the day!

Re: CB Radio question

Reply #24 – June 28, 2022, 09:32:20 pm

Quote from: prfleming – June 28, 2022, 08:49:30 pm

So, Chuck, I'm sure you were careful to never run more than 4 watts out...🤣

With my Palomar turned on and my fire stick I could light up the 8 ' fluorescent light in the shop 10' away. With the tweaked home unit, my then wife talked with a guy in Australia on skip every night.

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