CB RF Fail?

Hey all, recently picked up a Bearcat 880 at Loves. Got it all set up, I'm using the factory Cascadia antenna until I can figure out something better without drilling holes or taking things apart to run the cables. (company truck).

I was checking out the diagnostics on it and everything checked out alright except the RF out comes back as a fail. I checked the mic and the antenna connection and both seem alright to me. The RF meter does move when you key the mic, but I couldn't get a response to tell if it was working or not.

Is there anything else I should check or is this likely a factory antenna issue? SWR on it was sitting at about 1.6 if that's relevant.

On a related note, the previous driver did leave behind a mount and an antenna, but no coax or anything for it. Can I simply run a coax through the gap in the door or will opening/closing the door on it eventually cause me problems?

Thanks in advance.

I would think it is probably the factory antenna as the culprit.

Where do you travel? I know of CB shops, depending on your area.

I would think it is probably the factory antenna as the culprit.

Where do you travel? I know of CB shops, depending on your area.

I'm running the western 10 as Wilson calls it. Anywhere from Seattle down to LA as far East as the Wyoming/Nebraska border.

Ever pass through Phoenix?

Once so far but I don't think we go through there very often.

There may be a CB shop at the Petro in Spokane.

In Phoenix, I would check out "Big Rig Radio" located at Danny's Big Rig Resort. 6741 West Latham Street.

What about Oklahoma City?

I'll have to check out the Spokane one. I don't believe we go into Oklahoma.

Little update, ran inside and got some cable for the antenna that got left on the truck and ran it through the door gap for now. Now the RF out is a pass but the Antenna is a fail. Gotta love it.

I'll have to check out the Spokane one. I don't believe we go into Oklahoma.

Little update, ran inside and got some cable for the antenna that got left on the truck and ran it through the door gap for now. Now the RF out is a pass but the Antenna is a fail. Gotta love it.

Ah. The SWR is through the roof with this antenna...

I run my cable through that gap around the passenger door. That door seldom gets opened.

I would just check out TA and Petro locations on their individual location web pages a day in advance of where you're going to be traveling. It will show if a specific one has a CB shop on site. For the west coast area, I'm not very knowledgeable on where specific shops are.

The biggest thing with any CB is get the best antenna and coaxial you can afford to purchase. Afterwards, get by a CB shop to get the package if antenna and radio peaked and tuned together. I just had my latest CB peaked and tuned at the shop located inside the SW TA in OKC for $25.

I run my cable through that gap around the passenger door. That door seldom gets opened.

I would just check out TA and Petro locations on their individual location web pages a day in advance of where you're going to be traveling. It will show if a specific one has a CB shop on site. For the west coast area, I'm not very knowledgeable on where specific shops are.

The biggest thing with any CB is get the best antenna and coaxial you can afford to purchase. Afterwards, get by a CB shop to get the package if antenna and radio peaked and tuned together. I just had my latest CB peaked and tuned at the shop located inside the SW TA in OKC for $25.

I'll have to do that. Definitely want to have it checked out by a cb shop to make sure it's all good. I'll likely pick up a new antenna when I get stopped for the day tomorrow just so I'm not working with unknown parts.