Yea I guess my next step is to drop my fuel tank and get a rfi filter for the power leads on the pump. Not something I'm looking forward to honestly haha.

I'll probably get some ferrite beads for the alternator cables also just for giggles. I've heard the pro con talk on these but for how inexpensive they are I say why not.

 

I tried everything short of gasoline and a match.

I bought a $10 noise filter off of ebay and it solved the noise problem.

 

Where did you install the magical device? Happen to know the brand and stats of hand also?

This is my first Jeep problem that couldn't be solved with a bigger hammer!

 

PAC CSS-100 POWER LEAD NOISE FILTER 10 AMP CSS100 NEW


Search for that on ebay. If you want a direct link I can pm it to you.

3 wires. One to the power source. One to the positive on the CB and the other to ground. I mounted my CB above my mirror so I put it in the cubbyhole behind the passenger front speaker.

 

Not a bad idea honestly. That new 29 does look pretty damn fancy. I live in Bentonville AR, so I imagine finding a Walmart shouldn't be hard. haha

 

There is some good advice already out there, I think the only step left is really optimizing the improvements you have made.
I also agree that RF chokes are just masking the problem, and shouldn't be high on your optimizing list of fixes.

- A shortened, and dedicated, 12gauge power wire that runs directly to the battery.
- Avoid running power/ground/coax wires in close proximity to other engine harness/wiring to avoid interference.
- Ground the chassis of the radio/mount with a short ground wire to the nearest grounded chassis frame.
- Ground the negative wire to the nearest grounded part of the chassis.
- Ensure that you have "bonded/grounded" the windsheild, doors, tailgate, body, hood, and frame all togther to improve what little ground plane you have.
- Ensure the coax is not tightly kinked at any point, and won't be damaged by any sharp edges.
- Ensure the antenna mount is grounded to the chassis well, and run a dedicated ground strap if needed.
- You can make an RF choke out of the coax itself; as near the antenna end as possible just take any extra coax length and make a coil of loops, about 4~6 in about 5~6 inches in diameter. It will help reduce RFI from coming back down the outside of the coax to your radio.
- Use higher quality coax, better than the stuff many pre-packaged antennas come with.

In amateur radio the mobile power levels of the radios are much higher than CB, and the damge you can do with an improperly grounded rig can be that much more expensive. Alot of operators check for resistances between body panels to minimize any resistances and optimize thier ground plane as much as possible. In a vehicle, the more metal the better, but they need to be all joined together. You can verify this with a multmeter and check resistance levels between body segments. If there is any resistance, just add a ground strap or two. Grounding is that important, especially in a sheetmetal deficient soft top Jeep.

 

New Cobra 29 LX ordered....
I feel defeated but hey I guess I'll have a back up. Or one I can do a cigarette lighter and magnetic mount setup. I can let my buddies who don't have one use it on road trips. Thank you everyone who added their knowledge!

Guess this is one of those "learning" experiences.

 

So are you saying it was the radio... or are you ordering one to try it like previous posts talked about??
just wondering.

 

No amount of grounding (other than every body panel separate) was helping. Filters, ferrite coils, cables etc were not working out.
I like the new cobra 29 but didn't want to pay a lot of the bat. Well after all the extra work I said the hell with it. Now I have a great base for the higher quality radio.

Nothing against the midland, it sent out really well but I couldn't get over the electric noise. After I get the new one installed I'll give an update.

 

Not trying to be a pessimist, but don't be surprised if the new radio still picks up the noise. Are you running any aftermarket equipment ie...audio, video, computer stuff? And did you actually try any ferrites? Understand that if you can't find the source of the noise all the ferrites you put anywhere else won't fix your problem. How about the alternator.....are you sure it wasn't that?