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Post by jeepguylj on Nov 28, 2007 15:52:37 GMT -5
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Post by moneypit on Nov 28, 2007 20:34:37 GMT -5
Just hit the closest CB store (any big truck stop has them as well) and have them tune it. I paid 10.00. Cheaper then a meter you won't use again.  |
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kb5xg
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Post by kb5xg on Nov 28, 2007 22:03:14 GMT -5
The cheap meter is just fine, almost any ham radio operator would probably tune your antenna for free if you ask them. It should take less than 5 minutes. If you want to drive to my house I will do it for you then we can trail ride. Nothing to adventurous, just a couple of water crossings and plenty of cow and buffalo trails.
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Post by Belfast on Nov 28, 2007 22:12:40 GMT -5
I bought a basic one at Radio Shack - I used it once to tune my 3' FireStik. I got a new bumper/tire carrier w/antenna mount and want a bigger antenna - so I will use it again. Plus I bring it with me when I meet up with other Jeepers just in case they aren't tuned.
Technically you should re-tune when you switch from hard to soft top (if you switch), though I am not sure how much it changes considering the fiberglass doesn't offer much interference.
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Post by jeepguylj on Nov 28, 2007 22:29:11 GMT -5
Thanks guys so if i go to a truck stop or lets say west marine they would tune the antenna for free of charge. I don't have any knowledge on cb radios so it would be awesome for someone to show me in person on how to do it. Kb5xg, how far away do you live from socal cause i would love to wheel and get my cb fixed the same time so then i could use it while im wheeling.  Dude i just google Fairfax, OK and your like 20 hrs away its 1,454 miles i don't i want to drive that far. |
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kb5xg
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Post by kb5xg on Nov 29, 2007 6:23:59 GMT -5
If the meter doesn't come with instructions, I will be happy to explain how to tune the antenna and use the meter, just repost and I will go into all the gorey details. Also just about anything below 2 to 1 will work, the closer to 1 to 1 is better, but there will be no damage if it is below 2 to 1. I shoot for between 1.5 to 1 at the channel I use the most. There can be quite a bit of difference between channel 1 and channel 40.
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Post by timmy24540 on Nov 29, 2007 11:00:41 GMT -5
I am on the Christmas list for a CB (Cobra 75WXST) and a Firestik. I know you have to tune them, but the info on the hardtop and soft top thing is new to me. If you have to do that maybe getting a SWR meter and learning to use it would be wise. Go ahead and do a write up on it. I would be interested as well as others.
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Post by jeepguylj on Nov 29, 2007 15:45:23 GMT -5
I just bought a swr meter and i cant use it i read the instructions and did what it told me to do but i cant get the dam thing tuned. The guy at he ham radio outlet said just read the instructions and you will be fine even when i asked him to help me tune it. I feel lost.
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kb5xg
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Post by kb5xg on Nov 29, 2007 20:36:18 GMT -5
Hopefully you bought a short 2 or 3 foot piece of antenna cable with connectors on each end.
Hook the jumper (short cable) to the swr meter labeled transmitter (radio) and the other end of the same cable to the radio. Hook the CB antenna wire to the swr meter on the connecter labeled antenna.
This finnishes hooking up the meter.
Step 1
Make sure the switch on the meter is in the SWR position instead of the Power position.
Step 2.
Place the switch on the SWR meter to the forward position (probably labeled FWD)
Step 3
Place the radio on the channel you wish to check the SWR on.
Step 4
Key the transmitter (push the transmit button on the microphone)
While the transmitter is keyed adjust the set knob (rotary knob on the meter) until the needle on the SWR meter is pointing to the SET mark on the meter. (This is usually at the opposite end of where the needle usually rests)
Step 5
Unkey the transmitter (let go of the mike button)
Step 6
Switch the switch on the meter from FWD to REV (reverse)
Step 7
Key the transmitter and get the reading off of the meter.
Analyze the results.
If the SWR is lower than 1.5 to 1 all is good.
If the SWR is greater than 1.5 to 1 you need to adjust the antenna.
To adjust the antenna: remove the red cap off of the end of the antenna. Turn the knob either in or out. This is assuming you have a firestick antenna.
If you dont have a firestick antenna, you put it on the channel you plan to operate and get the SWR reading. Remove the cap on the antenna and cut off 1/4 inch of wire. You will have to pull the wire out of the end of the antenna. Recheck the SWR. If it went down. You can cut more off. If it goes up you are through. Do not cut any more wire out of the antenna. In my area most of the jeep clubs run on channel 4 or 5. So I set my antenna for channel 4. That is where my lowest SWR is. On channel 40 my SWR is almost 2 to 1. It will not hurt the radio but will limit the distance you can talk. On average I only have a range of about 1 mile because of noise in the CB bands. I have communicated over 15 miles when the band is quiet. (no skip conditions)
There should not be very much difference between the hard top and the soft top. But if you have a firestick you can adjust for best on each one. If not just check to see if it is less than 2 to 1 when you change tops and your good to go.
Again, I suggest that if you have any ham radio friends, they will probably be glad to help you and explain what you are really doing. It is not magic, just physics. Also most jeep clubs have a radio expert or two that could help.
You can either post any questions or pm me and I will try to help you out. I got the ham radio bug during the CB radio craze in the early 70's and graduated to ham. But all radio stuff for me is fun.
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Post by jeepguylj on Nov 29, 2007 21:04:52 GMT -5
Hey thanks for the write up kb, your instructions make alot more sense to me so ill will try it again and let you know how it went.
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Post by jeepguylj on Nov 29, 2007 21:47:24 GMT -5
OK i gave it another try but it was a no go. I did everything on the write up but i still cant talk to my dad on his handled cb and all i get is static. This is what the guy sold me along with a 3 foot jumper coax cable. Pic....  |
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kb5xg
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Post by kb5xg on Nov 29, 2007 22:57:46 GMT -5
The MFJ SWR unit is a good one, it is hard to diagnose radio problems but here it goes:
1) Where is the antenna mounted on your jeep?
2) What kind of SWR do you show on the meter?
3) What kind of handheld are you trying to talk to? (could it be an fmrs type)
4) What type of CB is it?
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Post by jeepguylj on Nov 30, 2007 15:03:50 GMT -5
I took the meter back so i can order on online cause it was high in the price range and i didn't want to feel ripped off. The cb im trying to communicate with is one that you can buy from costco the motorola handheld. The antenna is mounted at the back of the jeep with the teraflex light mount.  |
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kb5xg
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Post by kb5xg on Nov 30, 2007 17:32:47 GMT -5
The antenna mount looks good. Do you remember what the SWR was?
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Post by Belfast on Nov 30, 2007 18:41:20 GMT -5
The cb im trying to communicate with is one that you can buy from costco the motorola handheld. I am guessing that it is a FRS (as kb5xg suggested) - they don't talk to CB's unfortunately. They communicate on different frequencies (26.965-27.405 MHz across 40 channels for CB's; 462.5625-467.7125 MHz across 14 channels for FRS). There is a good FAQ hereThe best way to test if the radio is getting any signal is to set it to the weather channel and see if you get any signal. As far as the SWR meter goes, you don't need to be communicating with anyone - just key the CB and check the meter, then adjust. Once you get as close to 1 as possible, hook the antenna directly up to the antenna and set it to scan - you will hopefully pick up some chatter and if you are within 20 miles of a freeway, you might pick up some truckers. |
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