How To Adjust Your Cb?

I know the the cb isn't used much anymore, but, it seems like there is almost no chatter at all, at least in mine. I seem to be able to pick up people only when. They ate close by.

I know that topography plays a big part in it, but if i understand correctly, a cb should be able to reach between 3 and 5 miles, just on its own power, is that correct?

As far as things like squelch, rf gain, dynamike, and data tune, how do most have them set?

I did swr calibration on channels 1, 20, and 4p, and when I key up, the needle only goes to about 1.5 on the scale. Km UNDER The impression That Is about standard.

I keep delta tune in the middle, dynamike just slightly above center, rf gain is about 65% and the I keep squelch as low as I can in order to not hear static. Usually, I can get the squelch down to about 15 to 20%

Just wanted to see if I was having reception problems or if the cb is really that quiet all of the time.

I hope someone responds. I'm interested.

I'm sure someone will but it's kinda early and I would imagine most people are moving right now. I'd help if I could but the "radio equipment " I'm used working with is attached to big grey floaty things with weapons.

Otherwise a little youtube magic could probably help you out.

Ditto on the youtube for your particular model.

You should be hearing a decent amount of chatter at/near truckstops.

Have you tried asking for a "radio check" to see if you're even getting out?

And by "close by" - depending on topology and atmospherics - range is typically only a couple of miles. I have a final gain mod done on mine - and I'm sure I broadcast a lot further than I can receive from "un-mod'd" units. I did a check with the radio shop that does my work, has a similarly mod'd Cobra LX and a roof mounted antenna. We're only effective up to about 4 miles (give or take).

Rick

You may want to do some testing in a city that has a large population so you can interact with more operators. Set the controls of your rig ( radio ) as follows:

Initial Setup RF Gain 100% Squelch completely open ( so all you hear is static ) delta tune in the middle

Receive /Transmit Test Start tuning thru the different frequencies until you hear another station. Request a break and tell them you need a radio check. Ask them how you sound.

Fine Tuning the Controls Adjust the squelch only to the point were it cuts out the static don't go any higher. Start lowering the RF gain until you lose their signal then crank it up a little more until they sound good. Open up the squelch up again then start closing it only to the point were it starts cutting out the static. Let them know you want to adjust the dyna mic. Set in higher or lower. Ask them when they hear the best signal your radio produces.

Troubleshooting your Radio Try to get an approximate position of the station so you can determine your transmit and receive range and direction relative to your position. Ask if they are a base station or mobile like you. Try interacting with different stations closer or farther away mobile and base and in different directions.

Working the Bugs Out After you've made a few successful contacts and have some feedback from other operators on how things are working start asking some questions, What is maximum distance I can transmit and receive? Can only base stations pick me up? Can I work mobile stations? Does it appear that I can only work another station in a particular direction ( transmit and receive ) or do all stations I have contact with appear to have the same signal quality regardless of their direction? What do other stations think about my signal quality when I transmit? Does it appear that I can transmit further in a particular direction or does everybody regardless of direction relative to my position think I have a good transmit signal? Can I receive in a particular direction better than I can transmit? Or is the opposite true?

Thoughts on Radio Operation Its 2 way communication, transmit and receive are separate operations. If you can't heard the other station you can't work it so you are effectively just a one way AM Broadcast Station. Maybe the opposite is true. You may only be a receiver because of a problem. Problems can occur with both transmit and receive operations possibly one or the other. Its a give and take situation. Both sides of the equation need to be fully operational for it to happen.

Radio Setup The antenna(s) is your best friend. Don't have your radio setup like a good stereo system with a cheap pair of speakers. It's quality and where its placed on your truck has a lot to do with maximum transmit receive range and the directions it works the best. The feedline between your radio and antenna(s) needs to be flawless and of good quality. No loose connections or corrosion no nicks or cuts no sharp bends where it leads thru the trucks chassis so it could be breaking the conductors inside of it. Feedline issues are a major problem area in radio communication. They can create huge signal loss.

Questions for you What type of radio is it? Brand and model? What type of antenna(s) do you have Brand, model and mounting location on the truck? What are some of your observations about how the radio is working after making some contacts with other stations?

BUMP

Good info on here for a CB radio set up.