Antenna failure message
Thread Starter
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 11
From: Bellmawr, NJ
Originally Posted by Lucas
If your fry cb will you still be able to hear talking from others. And weather channels?
JK Freak
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 864
Likes: 0
From: Winchester, Ca
Glad to see you resolved your problem. Definately get yourself a larger ground strap. Something to take note of--high SWR can indicate that your antenna is too short; low SWR indicates your antenna is too long
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 3
From: REDONDO BEACH, CA
I just installed this exact CB a couple weeks ago, and I AM NO EXPERT, but here's my advice. Follow the manual to check your SWR settings using the internal meter. This will give you a basic idea of what's happening. You DO need to get an external SWR meter to get the most accurate reading possible, but the internal one is enough to get started with troubleshooting.
-Select Channel 20, Press SWR/CAL button to select CAL, Push and hold Mic button, While HOLDING the mic button adjust the SWR CAL knob so the meter swings to the CAL mark on the right side of the meter. Then push the SWR/CAL button to switch from CAL to SWR and push the mic button again. You should see the SWR reading on the meter. If it's over 3, your SWR is way too high. Repeat the steps for Channel 1 and 40 and see what readings you get. Write all the numbers down.
http://cobra.com/Manuals/29LXLE_MANL.pdf
The first time I tested this myself, I got 1.2 - 1.3 readings on all channels... which I thought was fishy. When I tested with an external SWR meter, it turned out on Channels 1 and 20 I got 1.1 - 1.2 but on Ch 40 I got almost 3.0. After adjusting my tunable antenna 1/4 of an inch, everything is now below 1.3.
Your RF GAIN should be top dead center. Your squelch, on the volume knob, should be all the way down (counter clockwise) or try at 9 o'clock (which is where I generally leave it). Don't worry about your transmitting capabilities yet... stick with receiving. No one is going to hear you anyways unless they're close by and on the same channel. If you're still getting wacky readings or antenna warnings, then something is wrong with your antenna mounting setup, either the antenna mount or the bracket on the tire carrier, or possibly even your coax cable. The NOAA is not going to help you determine if your CB is functioning properly except that it tells you your CB still works and isn't fried... but the clarity of the NOAA signal is moot when troubleshooting your CB setup.
If you're convinced your antenna is mounted properly, the tire carrier mount is getting a good ground, and everything is wired correctly to the CB unit (including power directly from the battery), then I suggest checking out a CB shop and maybe they can help you.'
Also, I didn't even need to run a ground wire from my tire carrier to the chassis (or the acorn nut, like yours is). My tire carrier apparently got a good enough ground as it is.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 3
From: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Originally Posted by Jersey_Devil
IT WORKS! I had a washer in a bad spot :-) it was something stupid... I called cobra electronics and they helped me fix it.
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Auburn Hills, MI
My cb kit is scheduled to arrive today, and with a little luck to be installed after work tonight. Hopefully no Antenna Failures will ensue!
Thread Starter
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 11
From: Bellmawr, NJ
OK it works when the jeep is off.... When it's running I get the antenna warning message still but the SWR is fine wile I'm stopped but when in motion the SWR its thru the roof again :-( what can I do?
Last edited by Jersey_Devil; Oct 2, 2012 at 10:35 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,255
Likes: 11
From: Bellmawr, NJ
Originally Posted by BigRedJK
relax... deep breaths.... it's probably not fried. If it was the CB wouldn't work at all.
I just installed this exact CB a couple weeks ago, and I AM NO EXPERT, but here's my advice. Follow the manual to check your SWR settings using the internal meter. This will give you a basic idea of what's happening. You DO need to get an external SWR meter to get the most accurate reading possible, but the internal one is enough to get started with troubleshooting.
-Select Channel 20, Press SWR/CAL button to select CAL, Push and hold Mic button, While HOLDING the mic button adjust the SWR CAL knob so the meter swings to the CAL mark on the right side of the meter. Then push the SWR/CAL button to switch from CAL to SWR and push the mic button again. You should see the SWR reading on the meter. If it's over 3, your SWR is way too high. Repeat the steps for Channel 1 and 40 and see what readings you get. Write all the numbers down.
http://cobra.com/Manuals/29LXLE_MANL.pdf
The first time I tested this myself, I got 1.2 - 1.3 readings on all channels... which I thought was fishy. When I tested with an external SWR meter, it turned out on Channels 1 and 20 I got 1.1 - 1.2 but on Ch 40 I got almost 3.0. After adjusting my tunable antenna 1/4 of an inch, everything is now below 1.3.
Your RF GAIN should be top dead center. Your squelch, on the volume knob, should be all the way down (counter clockwise) or try at 9 o'clock (which is where I generally leave it). Don't worry about your transmitting capabilities yet... stick with receiving. No one is going to hear you anyways unless they're close by and on the same channel. If you're still getting wacky readings or antenna warnings, then something is wrong with your antenna mounting setup, either the antenna mount or the bracket on the tire carrier, or possibly even your coax cable. The NOAA is not going to help you determine if your CB is functioning properly except that it tells you your CB still works and isn't fried... but the clarity of the NOAA signal is moot when troubleshooting your CB setup.
If you're convinced your antenna is mounted properly, the tire carrier mount is getting a good ground, and everything is wired correctly to the CB unit (including power directly from the battery), then I suggest checking out a CB shop and maybe they can help you.'
Also, I didn't even need to run a ground wire from my tire carrier to the chassis (or the acorn nut, like yours is). My tire carrier apparently got a good enough ground as it is.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 3
From: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Originally Posted by Jersey_Devil
I re ran the ground to the frame itself... I thought the Carrier would be a good enough ground too but the guy who owned it before me had the mount and ground wire already attached and the coax cable was coiled up nice and neat under the rear carpet for me
If the coax is near any power electrical wire, run them perpendicular to each other to negate interference, rather than parallel.