CBs

[camarors8992]

I have an cobra Cb and a radio shack antenna. Today I was told I sounded like I was talking "under water". How can I get a clearer sound out of this thing ? I'm new to all of this.

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[1985xjlaredo]

Have you had the antenna "tuned"? What is your SWR reading

[camarors8992]

How do I tune my antenna, sometimes the SWR goes into the red so I turn the SWR knob down.

[rocklandxjer]

in your manual there should be instructions on tuning the antenna to a certain frequency. also you might try to get the antenna centered over the vehicle. the magnet ones kind of use the whole jeep as a platform so a centered antenna will have a more balanced emission. (or so ive found)
get an SWR meter and check your readings, then tune accordingly

im guessing you get some rain in the rear after it rains...

[camarors8992]

in your manual there should be instructions on tuning the antenna to a certain frequency. also you might try to get the antenna centered over the vehicle. the magnet ones kind of use the whole jeep as a platform so a centered antenna will have a more balanced emission. (or so ive found)
get an SWR meter and check your readings, then tune accordingly

im guessing you get some rain in the rear after it rains...

Never have gotten rain in the rear of my jeep. For some reason my front drivers side floor continues to stay wet, even after I fixed the rusty floors.

[goodburbon]

Ok I'll try to explain how your swr meter works on your radio because you are a little wet behind the ears on this. You should note that built in SWR meters generally aren't relied upon and for a good tuning you should have someone with an independent SWR meter come and test.

On your Cobra 29

1. Select the channel you frequent most often. If you don't have a preffered freq. Select channel 19 or 20.

2. Move the switch labeled (s/rf, SWR, CAL) to the " CAL " position.

3. Key the microphone and do not say anything (dead key) and turn the SWR CAL knob to match the needle up with the "CAL" arrow.

4. Unkey the mic, and flip the (s/rf, SWR, CAL) switch to the SWR position.

5. Key the mic again without making noise or talking into it.

6. Read your SWR from the position of the needle.

7. An SWR reading of 1 is ideal and a reading over 2.5~3 is dangerous to the radio. (use the top scale on your meter)



To "tune" your SWR means you have to actually change the length of the antenna. There should be set screws holding the antenna into the base, The procedure is to check SWR then retract or extend the antenna into the base in small incriments, re-calibrating and checking SWR with each different length you try.

Note: Any time you move the antenna or change its position on the roof your SWR will change.

HTH

Brandon

[goodburbon]

BTW the 3rd position on the S/rf, swr, cal switch is S/rf and this sets the meter to tell you the strength of your outgoing signal in watts when the mic is keyed and the strength of incoming signals in dB. This is the position the switch should be in when you are actually using the CB.

If your SWR are tuned and you still sound like you are underwater, try adjusting your dynamike and if that doesn't help a new microphone definately will. I don't know what the best is nowadays, but back in the day it was the D-104. I had a d-104 silver eagle desk mic at one time and it was so sensitive that people could hear whether or not I had the cieling fan on.

[camarors8992]

I cannot get the needle to line up with the CAL arrow which is at the very right of the needle spectrum. With the SWR knob burried to the right the needle moves 1/4 of the way at best even when in SWR it's perfect reading 1.

[camarors8992]

edit.

[stewie]

I cannot get the needle to line up with the CAL arrow which is at the very right of the needle spectrum. With the SWR knob burried to the right the needle moves 1/4 of the way at best even when in SWR it's perfect reading 1.


To "tune" your SWR means you have to actually change the length of the antenna. There should be set screws holding the antenna into the base, The procedure is to check SWR then retract or extend the antenna into the base in small incriments, re-calibrating and checking SWR with each different length you try.

Note: Any time you move the antenna or change its position on the roof your SWR will change.

HTH

Brandon
[FONT=Verdana]




maybe you need to tune the ant.

[camarors8992]

I tried, it doesn't change the CAL at all.

[goodburbon]

that is why i suggest an independent SWR meter

[camarors8992]

that is why i suggest an independent SWR meter

I'm too broke to buy a meter. What is wrong with the meter on the CB ?