CB Question/Help

[perrys]

A new Cobra 29 wx/nw installed in a Cheap Columbia Freightliner. I cannot get more than 1/4 mile range. When I switch to srw to calibrate it goes way over 3.
In my older classic I had the same radio and got a 5/7 mile range.
The antenna's and coax are stock on the cheap Columbia as they were on my Classic.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Columbia is a 2007.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by perrys

A new Cobra 29 wx/nw installed in a Cheap Columbia Freightliner. I cannot get more than 1/4 mile range. When I switch to srw to calibrate it goes way over 3.
In my older classic I had the same radio and got a 5/7 mile range.
The antenna's and coax are stock on the cheap Columbia as they were on my Classic.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Columbia is a 2007.

all trucks basically use the cheapest of cb antenna's and coax they can. it "could be" that the coax is bad, maybe from the doors being opened so many times, the coax can be broken. i would first just start out by going to a truckstop and buying a matched pair of francis cb antenna's and try that. if it improves,, then you are good to go. otherwise, you might have to buy a coax as well for a dual antenna set up. as far as the height of the antenna's, i ususlly just buy the 3' lenght........

[Lurchgs]

yah - sounds like a bad connection somewhere...or a busted coax (same same)

[Tater]

I have a 4.5 francis behind my cab on the bar that holds the spring. I ran the coax through the passenger door. The bad thing about that is the coax breaks after so long. If you could run it under your cab and in with electrical you would not have to replace as often

[grocery thrower]

Originally Posted by perrys

A new Cobra 29 wx/nw installed in a Cheap Columbia Freightliner. I cannot get more than 1/4 mile range. When I switch to srw to calibrate it goes way over 3.
In my older classic I had the same radio and got a 5/7 mile range.
The antenna's and coax are stock on the cheap Columbia as they were on my Classic.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Columbia is a 2007.

All you really need is a 5 1/2' francis, some good coax and a good ground, one antenna is all I have ever used, I have always got good reception and good transmit, usually a mile or five miles depending on the weather. Right now I have a beat up francis 5 1/2', some old coax, but good coax, its mounted on the grab handle on the back of an international 8600 day cab, everyone says I sound great, I can hear for as far as I want...which usually isn't very far. Like my Dad said, Driver: "What do they call you Tom Inman". Dad: "You can call me anything you want as long as you don't call me very often."

"Radio silence.............................." LOL

[JLKKLJ777]

First off stick with 1 antennae. Running 2 means they have to be matched perfectly to get the proper use out of them besides its twice as expensive as running 1.

Secondly antennaes may be tuned. To do this with a firestick antennae you should remove the end cap and with a pair of needle nose pliers pull out the copper winding. Cut off a few inches at a time and then re- check your swr reading. The best you will be able to get is around 1.5

Francis antennaes are fiberglass and do not have the ability to be tuned. They are also susceptible to being shattered if you strike a low hanging branch.

Before tuning any antennae be sure you have good grounds. In many cases todays trucks have fiberglass bodies and do not give a good ground. In this case attach a grounding strap to the bolt on the mirror bracket from the antennae. Also be sure you have the plastic washer on the correct side of the mounting bracket.

Tilting the antennae slightly forward also seems to angle the signal up and over the trailer rather than having the radio waves bounce off of it creating a dead spot.

Not a cb expert just seen alot of this over the years and these things have worked for me. Good luck.

P.S. I like Wilsons better than Francis or Firestick. I have ran all 3 and the Wilson has given me the best overall performance.