CB Radio Store?

Anyone know of one locally here in San Diego since Mud Shack closed? Will Ham Radio Outlet have CB supplies? Did Rodriguez and Grapevine trails this weekend and was receiving, but not transmitting so well. I heard a shop can put a meter on/near the CB and test the levels. (Whatever that means). The antenna connection at the CB looks a little loose. I tried the adjusting RF gain and squelch with no luck.

I know very little when it comes to the CB stuff. When I started voicing my problem with the other guys in our group, two others reported CB issues and thought there was no where to go in SD. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I did a search, but did not find any SoCal threads.

Running a Cobra 19DXIV with a magnet mount Wilson 500 at the rear of roof.

Thanks!!

I'm not to sure about a local CB shop but might try Google "SWR Meter" or "CB antenna adjustment" You may just be out of adjustment. SWR Meters are pretty cheap and preety easy to use.

If the meter doesn't help fix it, try Fry's and get one with a built in SWR meter like the Cobra 29. I'm not a big fan of the mag mount antennas also, seems like I have better reception with a fixed mount one.

Radio crap (shack, lol), has reasonable prices on cb/radio parts, and cb radios.

Stop by any truckstop on the 15. They are full of CB radio parts.

Online check out gigaparts.com

You get what you pay for..........cheap radios = poor performance. Even with a cheap radio you need to match you radio to your antenna. Standard radios are 3 watts max. Take a look at the links attached.

I'm running a Cobra 29LTD that has been tuned up (65W) and I'm using a good Astastic mic.
I live in El Cajon and talk to my friends in La Jolla and Chuls Vista no problem.

Links to cb stuff: best prices on internet and tuned and aligned

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/Cobra-18-WXST%2dII-Mobile-CB-Radio-with-NOAA-Weather.html 23 watts

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/Galaxy-DX%2d919-AM-CB-Radio-.html 35 watts

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/K%2d30-Mobile-Magnet-Mount-Antenna.html

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/Astatic-636%2dL-Noise-Canceling-Microphone-.html A must

http://www.quadratec.com/products/96080_101.htm

http://www.walcottcb.com/cbml-jeep-wrangler-cj-tj-yj-antenna-mount-driver-side-p-1033.html like this one a little better

SPXJ said:

Standard radios are 3 watts max.
....
I'm running a Cobra 29LTD that has been tuned up (65W) and I'm using a good Astastic mic.
.....

Click to expand...

Thats because its against the law to run more than 4 watts out of a CB.....

Spend your cash on a good antenna if you want to get out. 65 watts into a crap antenna (not that yours is) will sound worse than 4 watts into a good antenna system.

x2 on antenna matching. Proper routing of your coaxial cable and matching the antenna can do wonders. Lots of HAM radio guys run low wattage radios with complex and properly configured antenna arrays and can talk for miles and miles. You do this by trimming the antenna length with a hacksaw. You NEED an SWR meter to do so and Radio Shack has one for pretty cheap. just use those links previously posted to find tips on doing so. Check for any kinks or nicks in your coax as well. Itll cause signal loss. Credentials? I've been a ground radio tech for the USMC and a Cell site Tech for years as well. I'm pretty good with RF.
If you go to a CB shop they can do more and it may or may not be legal. They can usually crack the radio open and tweak the transmit circuit to increase wattage output. That isnt usually a good idea nowadays. Back in the 70s the radios were more robust but they are made in China and not always as tweakable without burning up the transmit transistors. Good luck with it.
The best place to mount an antenna for MAXIMUM effect is right center of the roof for a more even ground plane.

*edit* I realize those links are for purchasing , not tweaking. Here try this. http://www.roadtripamerica.com/Equipment/How-to-Tune-a-C-B-Radio-Antenna.htm

Thanks for the responses. I think most of you are right, the antenna kinda sucks and was better in its day. My truck was broken into a while back and they stole the CB, ripping the end off the Wilson coax. It has never been the same. I agree with a more permanant mount so I think I'll go with a new coax cable and a firestick and mount. Then, I'll hit HRO and have them put the meter on it. I'm not too concerned about talking to someone in Chula, I just want to be able to hear the Jeeps up front or in the back and talk back to them.

Thanks again.

SPXJ said:

You get what you pay for..........cheap radios = poor performance. Even with a cheap radio you need to match you radio to your antenna. Standard radios are 3 watts max. Take a look at the links attached.

I'm running a Cobra 29LTD that has been tuned up (65W) and I'm using a good Astastic mic.
I live in El Cajon and talk to my friends in La Jolla and Chuls Vista no problem.

Links to cb stuff: best prices on internet and tuned and aligned

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/Cobra-18-WXST%2dII-Mobile-CB-Radio-with-NOAA-Weather.html 23 watts

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/Galaxy-DX%2d919-AM-CB-Radio-.html 35 watts

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/K%2d30-Mobile-Magnet-Mount-Antenna.html

http://www.sparkyscbshack.com/products/Astatic-636%2dL-Noise-Canceling-Microphone-.html A must

http://www.quadratec.com/products/96080_101.htm

http://www.walcottcb.com/cbml-jeep-wrangler-cj-tj-yj-antenna-mount-driver-side-p-1033.html like this one a little better

Click to expand...

Did you tune your own stuff? If not could you point me in the direction where I could get mine done?


I have a Uniden 68 or 78 elite thats only a couple years old that I need hooked up and tuned. A little boost would be nice too...
:eeks1:

There is a shop that is still in existence. quite far from you, though, it is is in Downey, Ca, Halcon Communications on 12832 Paramount Blvd, just south of Imperial Highway. WELL WORTH THE TRIP!!! YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY!

Address: 12832 Paramount Blvd, Downey, CA 90242
Phone562) 861-9656
Hours: Friday hours 10:00 am–3:00 pm - See all

Ask for Adrianna or Blaine.

I bought a Galaxy DX-959 AM/USB/LSB radio there and a Wilson Lil Wil 3 foot hight cb radio antenna. I was in Downey one month ago and talked to Williams in British Columbia some 1600 miles away on my Galaxy CB radio!!!!!!!!!

Please reply asap! Thank you.

You can google map the address on your smart phone!

If you know Blaine from Halcon, please let me know. Halcon closed down and an old friend has a job opening for Blaine. I would like to get the two in touch.

I did not know Halcon went out of business until just a few days ago. I have exausted other efforts to find Blaine.

cb<2m

Anyone that does need CB repairs or a antenna setup in their Jeep; contact Chris H. at The Radio Shop.
IF any of you know of an old time radio tuner from the 60s-80s name Doc Bill; Chris is one of his best students.
The quality of Chris's work and attention to detail cannot be compared.
Tell him Charles S. from San Diego sent you.....

The Radio Shop
4055 E. Guasti Rd
Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 390-5056

Download the free ham radio study app
Buy a baofeng for $30
Enjoy your hand held having greater range than your rig mounted cb

Pr

Thread hijack:

There are several ham radio exam prep apps. Anyone have a specific recommendation?

OK, now back to the CB radio shop discussion.