Cb Question (rookie)

So I got a pro star and in the wiring for the cb there's a harness on the power wires that don't connect to the radio or the pig tall... I'm thinking I should just cut and bypass that harness unless there's like a hook up idk about.. anybody know what I'm talking about??

Is there some type of plastic connector on the wiring from the truck or on the radio itself. There are only two power wires to connect. Positive (red) and Negative ( black). Dont cut any connectors off of the truck (unless you own it. I drive a Freightliner and it just has two connecting posts. One black,one red, plus the coax cable for the antenna right on the dash. Do not try to use the radio until you tune the antenna to the radio with a SWR Meter. You can fry the radio. Post a pic of the Pro Star set up if you can. Someone here can help you!

Ok so I can't get it to share here but it's a two prong wiring harness coming from the tractor

When you say harness, do you mean a plastic connector on the end of a red and black wire. Where do the wires lead to? Into the dashboard, or is this an overhead mount. Those wires and connectors may have been left there by the previous driver. They may be connected to some quick disconnect posts. They may be connected to a couple of posts with thumb screws. If so remove that wiring harness/ connector and hook up the wires from your radio. If that connector is factory installed, I'm sure you could find the mate for it in the CB aisle in a TS, or at a CB Shop. Just install the matching connector to your Radio.

Speaking of swr meter, I bought one and it didn't work. The working in my truck was messed up and kept giving me antenna warnings, so I purchased a new antenna with a mirror mount and a 6 foot strand of coax.

When I hook the swr meter up to the radio and key up, my radio shows the antenna warning again, but if I hook the antenna straight into the radio it's green light. What am.i missing here?

I have an old Radio Shack model I found on Craigslist. Im not a CB radio pro by any means. I just followed the instructions in the box. I know I had to calibrate it before taking the reading. Re read the instructions. I always want to skip thru the important parts of instructions it seems. Try to get as close to a 1.0 reading on channel 20 I think. No more than1.5 - 2.0 on 1 and 40 if memory serves me right. Someone will show up here with much more knowledge than me

Regarding the prostar thing you can go buy a connector for the wiring harness, but I just ran a plug from my cig lighter to power it. And I use the factory antenna and it works fine for my radio.

Connector Issue Digikey electronics might be a good source for a connector if you strike out at the Truck Stop or a Radio Shark Store. Here is a link to their connectors page on the internet:

http://www.digikey.com/en/resources/connectors/index

They might give you some help thru live chat on their home page

SWR Meter Question Are you placing the SWR meter inline with the radio and antenna or just connecting up the SWR meter alone to the radio? Connect the SWR Meter to the antenna output of the radio. The SWR meter should have a connector labeled " input" or "Radio" Connect the antenna to the "output" or "Antenna" connection of the SWR Meter The SWR Meter will effectively be between the radio and antenna.

Calibrating the SWR Meter

Set the CB to channel 20

The SWR meter should have a calibration control on it.

Set the meter to calibration mode

Key the Mic up on the radio and hold it on.

Turn the Calibration knob until the needle swings to the CAL Mark on the display, usually the needle swings the full path or 100% of the dial.

Turn off the cal function

Key up the mic again and hold the button down and read your SWR

Set the CB to channel 1 and go thru the same procedure. Set the CB to channel 40 and do it again.

Note the SWR readings for channel 20 channel 1 and channel 40

Was there a big difference in the readings on the different channels?

1.1 / 1 SWR is the holy grail that you'll probably never obtain 99.7% of your output power is getting to the antenna @ 1.6 /1 SWR about 95% of your transmit power is getting to the antenna @ 2 /1 SWR 89% is getting to the antenna. 2 / 1 SWR is the danger point don't go above it without tuning the antenna to your radio. If SWR is 1.6 / 1 or less on all 3 channels consider yourself blessed and hook the antenna back up to the radio and call it a day. Tuning an antenna for correct SWR is beyond the scope of this thread and varies depending upon its type and manufacture. I will help if your SWR is too high though.

As Tractor man said follow the instructions that came with the meter for interconnection methods and how they want you to calibrate the meter. If you don't have the instructions post the make and model of the meter and I may be able to help.

Thanks Bullwinkle, I knew someone would come through with some great info. I could give some great advice on installing Laminate Flooring or Kitchen Cabinets!

Yes, the meter was in line, between the radio and the antenna.

Also, when using the meter, you ignore the meter that is built in to the radio, correct?

When you calibrate, you have to put the meter into calibration mode, but what about the radio itself? Does that switch have to be in calibration mode also, or leave it on the rf setting?