I need help with tuning my CB Radio in St George, Utah or Vegas ?
03-04-2015, 06:43 PM
#1
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
I need help with tuning my CB Radio in St George, Utah or Vegas ?
Anyone? If not theres one person in Vegas that i will end up going too on a weekend trip down there.
03-04-2015, 06:55 PM
#2
. It's super easy to do assuming you have tuneable antennae. A SWR meter can be picked up at your local Radio Shack for about $20 (assuming they haven't all shut down), or ordered online for even cheaper. Instructions for tuning the cb can be found online using google or other search engine of your choice. It really is super simple. The more difficult part is identifying the source of any grounding issues you might have in the event your readings are too out of whack. That's actually a really simple process too using a multimeter to conduct a series of continuity checks, but can be a little more intimidating of a process to someone with zero knowledge on the subject I suppose. If you were the one who installed the cb, I think tuning it would be a piece of cake. I can shoot you some links I used to tune mine if it would help. Either way, best of luck to you.
03-04-2015, 07:09 PM
#3
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
If nobody is in St. George and able to help you, you really should just give it a shot yourself, unless you're just looking for an excuse to hit Vegas . It's super easy to do assuming you have tuneable antennae. A SWR meter can be picked up at your local Radio Shack for about $20 (assuming they haven't all shut down), or ordered online for even cheaper. Instructions for tuning the cb can be found online using google or other search engine of your choice. It really is super simple.
The more difficult part is identifying the source of any grounding issues you might have in the event your readings are too out of whack. That's actually a really simple process too using a multimeter to conduct a series of continuity checks, but can be a little more intimidating of a process to someone with zero knowledge on the subject I suppose. If you were the one who installed the cb, I think tuning it would be a piece of cake. I can shoot you some links I used to tune mine if it would help. Either way, best of luck to you.
. It's super easy to do assuming you have tuneable antennae. A SWR meter can be picked up at your local Radio Shack for about $20 (assuming they haven't all shut down), or ordered online for even cheaper. Instructions for tuning the cb can be found online using google or other search engine of your choice. It really is super simple. The more difficult part is identifying the source of any grounding issues you might have in the event your readings are too out of whack. That's actually a really simple process too using a multimeter to conduct a series of continuity checks, but can be a little more intimidating of a process to someone with zero knowledge on the subject I suppose. If you were the one who installed the cb, I think tuning it would be a piece of cake. I can shoot you some links I used to tune mine if it would help. Either way, best of luck to you.
Yeah if you want to send the links over ill check them out. I just moved out of Vegas less than a week ago but still have to travel back once a week, so i was just thinking about hitting the professional guy that everyone of the Jeep clubs use. I wouldn't think that he would charge more than $20 to do the tuning unless he needs to add a grounding strap as you mentioned. But i will check out what you send and make the determination after that. I just installed my external quick disconnect I bought and now its broken less than 5 hours later. Now i need to either, return/get a new one, or buy a 3ft antenna and go without a quick disconnect, because my 4ft will hit the garage every single time. I guess i could just connect and take off the 4ft antenna when im going to use it.
03-04-2015, 08:19 PM
#4
Yeah if you want to send the links over ill check them out. I just moved out of Vegas less than a week ago but still have to travel back once a week, so i was just thinking about hitting the professional guy that everyone of the Jeep clubs use. I wouldn't think that he would charge more than $20 to do the tuning unless he needs to add a grounding strap as you mentioned. But i will check out what you send and make the determination after that. I just installed my external quick disconnect I bought and now its broken less than 5 hours later. Now i need to either, return/get a new one, or buy a 3ft antenna and go without a quick disconnect, because my 4ft will hit the garage every single time. I guess i could just connect and take off the 4ft antenna when im going to use it.
CB Antenna Tuning Instructions | Right Channel Radios
I don't bother with a quick disconnect. I bought a 4' Wilson Flex antennae. I normally only install it when I go wheeling, and remove it when I return. It literally only takes about 20 seconds to unscrew it from the stud. I have a spiderweb shade and I just store the antennae above the soundbar between wheeling trips. The shade keeps it in place, even while topless on the highway. I'd go with a 5' antennae if I could think of a way to store it on the Jeep as easy as the method I use now. I think 5' might be a bit too long to fit above the soundbar though. I think the longer antennae the better as far as range is concerned.
I drive into the garage with the antennae installed on accident 9 out of 10 times upon returning from a trip. I can't seem to remember to remove it. It hasn't damaged it yet. The Wilson Flex has awesome flex. It just bends and I remove it after parking.
One lesson learned I experienced was to purchase quality components. I initially bought a generic brand coax and antennae that my local Frys had in stock, and I had the hardest time getting a good SWR reading even after troubleshooting possible grounding issues. I traded out the coax and antennae for quality Wilson brand components and had no trouble getting 1.1/1.0 SWR readings. I bought the antennae and coax at a Travelcenter truck stop on one of my roadtrips. The prices were actually the same as Amazon prices. Your mileage may vary.
03-05-2015, 03:48 AM
#5
JK Enthusiast
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St George is a small place so you probably know Dixie 4wheel. Bryce and his crew should be able to get you dialed in no time. But as stated in another post, give it a shot yourself. Its easy, takes about 20 minutes.
03-05-2015, 09:08 AM
#7
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
This is the link I used. There are literally tons of sites you can use though. The instructions are all the same really...
CB Antenna Tuning Instructions | Right Channel Radios
I don't bother with a quick disconnect. I bought a 4' Wilson Flex antennae. I normally only install it when I go wheeling, and remove it when I return. It literally only takes about 20 seconds to unscrew it from the stud. I have a spiderweb shade and I just store the antennae above the soundbar between wheeling trips. The shade keeps it in place, even while topless on the highway. I'd go with a 5' antennae if I could think of a way to store it on the Jeep as easy as the method I use now. I think 5' might be a bit too long to fit above the soundbar though. I think the longer antennae the better as far as range is concerned.
I drive into the garage with the antennae installed on accident 9 out of 10 times upon returning from a trip. I can't seem to remember to remove it. It hasn't damaged it yet. The Wilson Flex has awesome flex. It just bends and I remove it after parking.
One lesson learned I experienced was to purchase quality components. I initially bought a generic brand coax and antennae that my local Frys had in stock, and I had the hardest time getting a good SWR reading even after troubleshooting possible grounding issues. I traded out the coax and antennae for quality Wilson brand components and had no trouble getting 1.1/1.0 SWR readings. I bought the antennae and coax at a Travelcenter truck stop on one of my roadtrips. The prices were actually the same as Amazon prices. Your mileage may vary.
CB Antenna Tuning Instructions | Right Channel Radios
I don't bother with a quick disconnect. I bought a 4' Wilson Flex antennae. I normally only install it when I go wheeling, and remove it when I return. It literally only takes about 20 seconds to unscrew it from the stud. I have a spiderweb shade and I just store the antennae above the soundbar between wheeling trips. The shade keeps it in place, even while topless on the highway. I'd go with a 5' antennae if I could think of a way to store it on the Jeep as easy as the method I use now. I think 5' might be a bit too long to fit above the soundbar though. I think the longer antennae the better as far as range is concerned.
I drive into the garage with the antennae installed on accident 9 out of 10 times upon returning from a trip. I can't seem to remember to remove it. It hasn't damaged it yet. The Wilson Flex has awesome flex. It just bends and I remove it after parking.
One lesson learned I experienced was to purchase quality components. I initially bought a generic brand coax and antennae that my local Frys had in stock, and I had the hardest time getting a good SWR reading even after troubleshooting possible grounding issues. I traded out the coax and antennae for quality Wilson brand components and had no trouble getting 1.1/1.0 SWR readings. I bought the antennae and coax at a Travelcenter truck stop on one of my roadtrips. The prices were actually the same as Amazon prices. Your mileage may vary.
Yeah i will end up giving it a shot myself.
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03-06-2015, 03:53 AM
#8
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jun 2011
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If you are looking for places to go and people to wheel with check with Dixie as they have runs going quite often. You have Sand Hollow over in Hurricane with lots of trails, mild to wild. If adventuring is more your thing, still a great place with lots of history and National Parks right out your back door. Some times we take a 4 day weekend and head up there as the vistas are incredible.
03-06-2015, 08:30 AM
#9
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
If you are looking for places to go and people to wheel with check with Dixie as they have runs going quite often. You have Sand Hollow over in Hurricane with lots of trails, mild to wild. If adventuring is more your thing, still a great place with lots of history and National Parks right out your back door. Some times we take a 4 day weekend and head up there as the vistas are incredible.
