CB won't transmit
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Sainte-Anne-Des-Plaines
CB won't transmit
I have a new Uniden CMX 760 and FireStik antenna. I tried to tune it with my SWR Meter and the meter won't go below 250 :(plus when i try to tune the antenna nothing happens. No change at all. Was trying at Channel 1 then channel 40. Did 1 outing and CB did work fine though. But just went back out to retune with my son and he has same antenna and it worked good for him. But now i can only receive. But not transmit. He can't hear mine a few feet away now ? But when i press on my CB the signal shows max and squelch is at 1/2. Note: the bracket i used i grinded the bottom of it to bare metal where the antenna connects to get a better ground. So am at a loss. But i caught him unscrewing the cable before i turned it off. But stopped him. I saw 2 videos for getting ground. 1 did as i mentioned and the other attached a wire to under the antenna then to a different spot for a ground.
We also changed antennas to see if it would change but nope.
Hope i didn't damage cb :( ??
We also changed antennas to see if it would change but nope.
Hope i didn't damage cb :( ??
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 506
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Transmitting with bad antenna connection can destroy that side of a CB. Have to be dligent about that issue always. Not sure what else to say other than it is probably not worth repairing sure to labour cost vs just buying a new radio.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 2
From: Central Virginia
I killed a Midland CB once when the coax got frayed and shorted. I sent it in, they replaced it under warranty.
Use a multi-meter with continuity and check for a complete circuit from the center pin on coax at radio to the screw at the top of the firestik. Then check for ground from knurled ring on coax to the antenna mount.
Use a multi-meter with continuity and check for a complete circuit from the center pin on coax at radio to the screw at the top of the firestik. Then check for ground from knurled ring on coax to the antenna mount.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 506
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Son and I are about the only CB users around and when we go out I always transmit a quick word "Test" for that reason to ensure the antenna is working and not enough transmit time to burn out the output on the transmit side. Others in the group use FM radios as we do as well.
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: orn
I have a Cobra 29 NW LTD Classixlc installed in my 2018 Ram 2500. I have a heavy duty coax cable the runs to a fire stick on my headache rack.
I've used the built in SWR meter to tune the cb per the manufacturers instructions.
I've used the built in SWR meter to tune the cb per the manufacturers instructions.
Last edited by staroct22; Oct 14, 2025 at 07:40 AM.