CB Radio Questions

[gippersdad]

OK, so I finally bought a CB radio. The day after I installed it, I had to take a 2.5 hour trip down 40 Westbound to Asheville, NC. It was my first chance to test it.

I bought a pretty nice radio, I think. It is a Uniden Pro 538 W.

Although the weatherband comes in clear as a bell, the CB reception is really bad. Even with the RF gain turned all the way down...I can hear the truck engine. I had noticed this before the trip...so I built a shelf that hangs off the back of the truck to mount the antenna...but it still does it.

The question is...will a better antenna help? Or is that just a waste of money? I have a 21" whip, magnet mount currently.

And if it is a better antenna I need...does the base make a difference? Can I just go buy a firestik and stick it on the current base...or do I need a new base too?

Honestly, I don't need to hear signals from Timbuk II. I just want to hear what does come in clearly.

What do you guys reccomend?

[Dakota_Coyote]

The best antenna I've found since I've had a CB is a Wilson 5000. Wilson 1000 is a good one too, just depends on how much power you plan on putting out 1000's are good to 1000 watts, 5000's good to 5000watts . Also have very good receptio, it stands about 6' tall over the vehicle.I have my rf gain turned up about 1/4 and get good reception everywhere. good to 5000

[Dakota_Coyote]

for the engine noise, find a power block that doesn't tie into the engine electronics

[Dakota_Coyote]

As far as mixing and matching different antenna bases and antennas is not a good thing, even if they fit, it can change your VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) and unless you have a VSWR meter
(about 25.00 at radio shack) wouldn't play around with it, because you can fry your radio(100.00-way too much) and that gets way too expensive.

[Dakota_Coyote]

The Uniden Pro 538W may be good for a basic radio with weather channels, however a Texas Ranger or Galaxy(949 or above)even without the weather channels is better, as these have SSB for more available channels(120 VS 40) which helps a in some areas.

[gippersdad]

Thank you guys, for all of your help. Great stuff here!

Here are the results and thoughts associated with some of your input:


As far as the wiring...right on bro! I read what you suggested, and rewired it to the D/C side of the power inverter in the cab. This circuit goes straight to the battery with no sidetrips, and grounds to the negative battery terminal. Worked like a CHARM!! Engine noise is gone. Thanks!!

As far as the mixing and matching...that one solved itself. The magnetic base of my cheapo had too small of a hole to put anything else in there. I wound up buying a new mount that came with my new antenna (I just chose the kit). This mount was for a "mirror mount," and my pickup does not have thet kind of mirror...so I sanded the paint off of a section of the cab by the rear window, and mounted with sheetmetal screws. In the end, it read 0.9 Ohms from mount to chasis...so I figure I did something right.

As far as my original cheapo...I snipped the end off of it and spliced it into an RF connector end. I stuck it into the digital converter box for the TV mounted on my dash and...WOW!! That was one crappy CB antenna...but it happens that it is about the best TV antenna I have ever used! The picture on the TV is like Cable now!

As far as the Uniden...well, at a certain point some of the variables are fixed. I already bought this one...so if I bought the wrong one, well...that ship has sailed. I picked it because it had three things I wanted: 1) Weatherband, 2) PA and 3) the right price. Maybe I could have done better...who knows...but this is the one I have now. Understand also, I am not a professional driver. I am a guy that wants information available, and a contact option to the outside world in a storm. This particular radio is mounted in a pickup truck, not a rig.

As far as the Wilson...yeah, I saw that one when I was at the truck stop. It was outside of my budget. A friend who does drive professionally recomended a "firestik." The store I went to did not have a "firestik," but they did have the copy cat version of it...so after calling my buddy to confirm it was a smart thing to do, I came home with a 4 foot Barjan. I know that is the generic brand, but my buddy told me it is every bit as good as the "firestik." I hope he's right!

As far as finalization: I have an inline noise filter on order, that ought to be here tomorrow. That should get rid of whatever remaining fuzz I have. Once installed, I take her down I-40 and see what I've got. If the reception is still subpar, I'll take it to a local shop and have it tuned (antenna says it does not require tuning...but most people I talk to say to ignore it when they say that).

If you guys have any other tips and tricks that will help, please keep 'em coming! I really appreciate all of your help!!!