How To Tune Your CB Radio Antenna (Quick & Simple)
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- How To Tune Your CB Antenna (Quick & Simple)
Getting a good signal requires a good mounting location, proper ground and a working CB Radio. Once you have these set up, an SWR meter will help tune the final signal to it's optimal range.
Instagram: jerryarbs
Very helpful!! I had to watch it a few times and read the directions for my meter of course and my Midland 1001LWX is up and running and ready to go. Thank you for keeping it simple and easy to understand for all of us who had no idea how to do this!
Just for future reference, whenever you bottomed out the antenna and couldn't lower it any more than you did because the whip section is too long, keep in mind at that point You can always cut a quarter inch at a time off the whip to get the swrs even closer to tune.
Great video by the way!!
Right to it! Awesome! just talks about what to do awesome! No stupid music! Awesome! no nonsense talking ! Awesome!!!
Thanks Eddie! I can't handle videos like that either! Get to it! Haha Thanks again!
New trucker here on a cobra 29 ltx chrome and this was a big help... Been stumped as to how to tune this and alot of other guides flat out confused me... Appreciate the help bud!
Right on! Glad it helped!
Hey new guy if you ever need a mic get a ranger,they are the best
yes you can cut a small pic of the bottom of the antenna , pull it out of the coil and shorting it just a little at a time, until the SWR is the same on channel 1 and 40 AND keep adjusting it just like you are doing and every thing will be OK.
It has been advised that when any tuning is to be done to CB radios on a vehicle, the surrounding area must be Free from buildings, power lines, Trees etc. Several techs have said that. 10-4.
Roger that! Next tune will be out of the city! Thanks Joe!
there is no point in typing 10-4, it is shorter to type ok. 10-4 is used because ok is such a short word the receiver of the transmission might not be able to make out what you are saying. by saying 10-4 they could distinguish that better.
10-4.
@@militarysniper6625 10-4
@@militarysniper6625 10=4
I'm struggling with my K40, you made my day
Fantastic!! Hope you enjoy!!
Ref is for reflect, FWD is forward as in you want your signal leaving and not reflecting back.
Make sure you're in the vehicle with the doors closed and in an open area like a field or parking lot away from trees, houses, telephone poles, light poles etc while checking the swr meter. If you're too close to surrounding objects, it can throw your swr reading off. This will help you get a better reading on the swr meter.
You could cut the whip a little to get the lowest swr reading, also run a ground wire to your antenna bracket for optimal ground.
Dont need a ground wire when it on the car roof, the whole car acts as ground.
@@26DR715 The antenna appears to be mounted on a roof rack/basket and it is either painted or powder coated. Both can/will prevent the antenna from having a good ground!
u can pull it out and cut some off the end to allow u to keep shorting it
I've never tried it, but great idea!
Yep, once you have identical swr readings on both channel 1 and 40 .... that is the best you can do for the lowest swr across the band. Cut a very small amount from the whip and you SHOULD re-tighten the set screw everytime you recheck the reading.
Tks for not having the 2-minute intro with annoying music.
Iv never had to do anymore than , move coax cable around an in a strait path no coiled or bunched up line to get right match 1.1 to 1.7 is best.
Like the vintage swr meter . Jim's cb shop
Good job, I've got a Cobra 29 LTD classic and it has the built-in meter so I'll be using that it also has the you know everything built in the RF gain and all that so I'm trying to figure out how to calibrate it and your video has been helpful thank you
Fantastic to hear Jason! Feel free to share your set up! I'd love to see it!
Nice version. I'm looking at picking one up myself. They are easy to calibrate with all the tools built-in.
Do not trust a built-in meter. Never seen one that reads right yet. They will get you close tho.
If you spend more time near channel 40 tune to that. It will be ok at channel 1. The lower frequency will transmit better anyway. If you are 1:1 at ch40 and 1:1.5 at ch1 you are safe and will perform very well.
I'll be using this excellent video later today. Thank you!
1st off, REF is Reflected PWR. 2nd you said Chnl 40 (1.7) higher that Chnl 1 (1.4) therefore antenna is too long. Then you commence to make it longer. While the statement too long may be correct, your extending the antenna was wrong. I emphasis may be correct? No help here.
Gosh, I did a lot wrong for a guy with a working CB and over 100k people appreciating my video. You should make a video....obviously. xo
Thanks for posting. Easy to understand.
Okay, I am four years late. Still I have a suggestion, please go in to the video turn on CC. This will help those with hearing difficulties. It is a bit difficult hearing and understanding you. Thank you.
Hey @ricdonato4328, my CB doesn't have a CC button. You'll have to adjust the squelch knob at best, and crank the volume like my grandma did for the Price is Right.
@@JerryArbs Hello, thank you for your courteous prompt reply. Oops I was referring to this video. At the bottom of all UA-cam videos is the CC option. Move your mouse over it, it reads subtitles/closed caption unavailable. With it being grayed out we cannot click it on to read what you are saying. Thank you, cordially.
Get video thanks for sharing your experience.
You're welcome! Next one might be on a 8ft whip!
I subscribed waiting for the next one
Channel one and channel 40 should be as close as possible, if possible the same
I just got a new CB today for my van and I watched your video it was great thanks for all the info
Fantastic! Good luck on the tune!
your spring is lengthening your antenna you an try it without the spring or cut the bace of the top whip a little with the spring on, there is no going back once you cut an antenna so just cut a little at a time
The spring on those antennas are not made be removed as the spring is holding the antenna to the mount (the bolt from below the mount threads into the base of the spring through an insulator and the antenna mast threads into the top of the spring. You would have to have a coupler made (1/4-20) to replace the spring and then you would be changing the resonant frequency so far out that you would never be able to tune it! Standard antenna couplers are 1/4-20, 1/4-28 or 3/8-24.
Super underrated video. Helped me a lot! Thanks!!
Thank you Reed!
thanks for this video easier to understand now didnt have a clue
My pleasure!
I was told as long as it is below a 2.0 than it was good !
Thats true! How did you come across my video? Seems to be getting viewerships suddenly!
i was just cruising the internet and I came upon your cb antenna adjustment ! great job, keep up the good work because I believe more and more people will be getting back on the air !
Good demo, I have not had a CB radio for awhile, I am getting back into the hobby. If I remember correctly, my radio had an swr meter, this seems like a better setup.
Thank you! I'm now running a 980SSB with a built in SWR as well but haven't needed to tune it yet! Curious to give it a try if I swap antennas!
@@JerryArbs I used a CB radio from about 1978 to 1985, I don't remember ever having to adjust the swr, I used a simple magnetic base antenna. I am hoping a CB radio will help me avoid backed up traffic. I drive about 80 miles a day round trip to work.
Read the instructions that come with your SWR meter, it states that you have to unkey when switching from fwd to ref to avoid damage to the radios finals!
Good tip. About 2 years too late. 🤣
@@JerryArbs Yeah, just noticed the posting date. But, maybe it will help someone else.
I’m trying to do this for my RoadKing CB and non-ground FireStick antenna, however I can’t make the SWR to go below 5. It’s in the red zone on all channels.
What’s wrong???
U can trim the stinger just a little bit if it's high on channel 40 as well
They call me 440. I need someone to teach me about this stuff..I know just a little
Always be sure to use a set if dykes to adjust your hex head screws…x)
Great video man. Short and simple.
Thanks Terry!
I guess I'm confused. The second reading on channel 40 was higher than the first reading on channel 1 throughout the entire video. All I saw was that you moved them both lower. What am I missing?
If I switch my mag mount to another vehicle will I have to retune?
Yes
So would cutting the antenna bring the two channel references closer together then? Is that how to get them both down to around 1ish?
Most antenna manufacturers will say to cut 1/8" off the bottom end if necessary.
Good video thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Sweet! It's a science that most don't understand. Gotta split the difference.
Some times those springs give bad grounds as they wear, maybe run a ground to the mount, it may help.
The spring is on the hot side (radiator) of the antenna not the ground side!
Thanks.
My pleasure Matt!
What if I am using a fiberglass antenna, do I need to adjust or how do I adjust it?
With fiberglass units like the firestik there is an adjustment under the tip. Other models I've seen guys just cut them with a handsaw.
What about the length of your coax didn't it have something to do with it do you have certainly the coax
Increments of 3 feet.
Great video! What type of antenna, antenna base is that? I have a similar one, but no base. Don't know what to shop for...what's it called?
Appears to be either a Metra WM-CB70 or a SCOSCHE CB201 without the base - the base attached to the rail appears to be a TWD 21521020 from Napa auto. All relatively innexpensive and easy to install.
It's a Walmart Special $19.99 antenna. Used to be sold by KRACO CB and many other manufactures for around $9.99, either as a mag mount or a gutter mount, and they are totally useless, this one especially as he had to use WD-40 and pliers to get the whip to move! It is most likely corroded inside the coil too! Time for a new antenna!
Thank you!
My pleasure
take the top wire out and cut 1mm off to get the swr even lower
Great video!
Thanks for watching Cameron!
I have a semi truck with 2 Antennas one above each door. They are those plastic/nylon style and each antenna is 30 inches long. I am currently slightly higher on channel 40. Would I have to lower both antennas slightly and recheck my SWR or just one antenna individually?
I have done so much research on dual antenna setups and from what I've found is that they're simply too close together to work well. I've also been told by a professional installer (of 40 years) that the second one is often just for anesthetics and not actually connected. A lot of heresay about this topic.
Why does the length of the antenna effect it?
Because the length of the antenna must be sufficient for the wavelength of the signal.
blog.techwholesale.com/2015/09/25/does-size-still-matter-exploring-antenna-size/
Thanks you made that simple stupid my radio works great now.
Fantastic news! But don't call me stupid. lol
what about base station antennas
Can you plz make videos again adhd vids?
I'm trying to figure out what to talk about! Any ideas?
What if you don't have a tuner?!
Then you don't tune it, and risk burning out your internals. 🤷♂️
Nice video instruction. Love the amazon comment. LOL. Thumbs up from here.
Does the squelch have to be all the way to the left before tuning.
I would leave it wide open, yes.
Doesn't matter
awesome
Thanks Adolph! 🤙
Here’s what causing my confusion: is there a specific value your SWR meter should be set at on the low end? Or is the objective simply to match values across the board? Also, is there a value that’s considered too low??
You want it below 2. The lower you get it better your CB will preform better. Anything below 1.5 is good and no more adjustment needed. Forgot if by any chance you get below one you have different problems which is bad. It not likely you get below 1.
Doesn't the Cobra 29 have the ability to calibrate without a separate SWR meter?
The newer cobras do. Not this one.
Would lowering where the antenna is mounted have the same effect as shortening the antenna?
Unfortunately not. Lowering the antenna would likely reduce the range by lessening its angle of reception. Shortening the length changes the tune.
Do you have to keep the SWR meter hooked up all the time or can you remove it after tuning?
It's only to tune. You CAN leave it in-line, but really, more connections leave more room for lesser stability in your signal
1:35...that button isn't REV or reverse. It's REF as in reflected power. FWD=forward. REF= Reflect or reflected.
FWD=Forward power your radio is putting out on dead key, without modulation. Ref= how much power is reflected back..not reversed back. Yw
Fantastic! Thank you!
Always unkey when switching from FWD to REF or you can short out your radio's finals!
I know from experience!
I got a classic 29ltd i click the mic and i can hear my self on the cb but can hearr no one??? Please help
Most likely the mic is wired wrong.
You can buy cb antennas that are self swr compatible they do the job for you that's what someone was telling me today
From my knowledge, most CB antennas ARE tuned by the manufacturer for channel 21 and with a 9 foot cable (or increment of 3 feet). With all of the possible variables of your set up I would highly recommend tuning it with an SWR meter. My SWR dropped an entire point in this video. That's huge to have such low readings. 👌👌
When I’m on 40 and I key the mic on FWD it is at (REF POWER) 7 and not quite at set, when I adjust it and switch to REF my SWR jumps to 3.3 but my antenna doesn’t go any lower. Please help
You may have to physically snip your antenna, but make sure your connections are solid, clean and your grounds are intact! 👌 Also, where did you come across this video? It seems like a lot of people are watching it this week!
did you get it figured out? One thing you might want to check it that there are no buildings near. They can reflect your Reflection Power.
My antenna doesn’t have any adjustment to it. It’s a 10’ whip. When I turn on my cb I only pick up static. I’m curious as to what to do
Mostly it’s the placement of the coax with the 102 inch antenna
Adjust the squelch.
What does setting your SWR do. How does it help
Setting the SWR ensures that the impedances of the feedline and the antenna match perfectly, so that all available power is being radiated from it. When we talk performance of a CB radio, it's all dependant on your quality and tune of your antenna.
Thanks
You're very welcome!
Hey man. I tried this and I get swr 9 for channel 1 and 40 . Any suggestions ?
is your antenna grounded?
That's great, but I'm struggling to get my readings out of the red.
Remember your ground is very important. Also, don't bend your excess cable. Coil it in an organized set of loops and not just randomized all over your vehicle! Good luck!
BTW "ref" means "reflected", as in "reflected energy"
@@JerryArbs just to add make figure 8s in 1 ft length and tie in middle.
I’m in a company truck and have a cobra 29lx and I try to talk and everyone says I break up bad. Also most of the incoming chatter is fuzzy.
If you aren't able to mess around with anything, follow the lines to make sure the antenna ground is solid, that there aren't any chafed areas of the coaxial and that the rest of the wiring is connected well.
Beyond that, an SWR is where you'll get a great baseline of what you need to do 👌
@@JerryArbs thank you sir
@@JerryArbs I may refer to you when I mess with it. I ordered a swr meter separate from the built in one. And I’ll have it Thursday and test it Friday. I have no idea what to look for. So yea
Do you have to leave the swr meter hooked up?
Nope! Just for the testing 👌
What keeps the antaenna from moving that 1mm when you tight the screw back down
Leave just enough tension to move it
Don't you have to have your coax cable certain length
Increments of 3 feet
Nice video. Thank you
What if the swr reading is the same above 3 in channel 1 and 40
Leave it right where it is. 👌 just keep anything that could interfere with it out of the way and you should have a great signal!
The swr should be exactly the same on 1 and 40 and should be below 2:1 anything higher will feed power back into the radio and burn the finals out of your radio. Don’t key up above 2:1
Great job. Thank you.
You're very welcome! Hope it helped!
REF is Reflectance not Reference!
Thanks Peter! A few people corrected that too. 👌
Your "foot print" is a cracked peanut.
Why do you have the CB in the backseat?
Haven't created a proper mount up front that won't look gaudy. Works fine back there anyways with the mic up front 👌
That’s a mudduck antenna lol 😂
A what? 🤣
Great... Any better you would need to cut a piece off
Cut a bit off of the top part.
When I hit ref on my cb on channel 1 it goes past set
My guess would be you have antenna and transmitter backwards
@@jeffnordeen9702 how is that even possible?
@@tbpc1 what he means is you should set it on fwr and check it on rev/ref . This all needs to be done with out releasing the mic key.
@@eugeneyoung5582 ive done that, no change
@@tbpc1 have check ground ( good ground)and checked for any shorts in the coax
There is a grw things that can cause that.
Trim antenna
Trim it up!
Wow and I was quoted $70 to have this done at the shop . What a ripoff
It's true. Not many folks tune them anymore, but it's pretty simple. Get a good ground, quality cable and organize your access cable in loops like an extension cord!
Topro 4Runner that’s crazy, it’s not hard at all and swr meters are not expensive. Around 25.00.
Seriously. SWR meters are like...5 bucks? All you need is a big parking lot and a few minutes.
how do you tune a solid whip, around 8.5 feet?
If it's solid, it was likely tuned from factory but you can either check the tip for a screw, add length with a spring or washers, or cut the tip if it's too long.
@@JerryArbs thank you Budd y or your very swift reply and help.
If your antenna was in the center of the roof you’d have a lot better match.
I know. I removed the basket since then. Muuuuch better reception. Thanks!
Not 100% accurate if you're near/under buildings, trees, lightpoles, etc. Find an open field and do it again!!!
I can't get mying Lower then 1 on channel 1 and 40
A swr of one on channel one and on forty is considered perfect, a very good broad band match, leave it there,
I would love to see your setup. I have never seen a perfect 1 on 1 and 40. I serious too.
Nice earrings
Thanks Vic! 4 gauge. Had em for aaages
Haha... you said Subaru.... thats when I decide to comment and turn it off. Haha
That's too bad. You could have learned something about off-roading.
@@JerryArbs HAHAHAHA...
Come on. Get a real antenna, it’s just too small. . I have a bad one compared to a 102 inch whip. I have a ml 145 antenna. It’s around 5feet compared the 102 inch, that is 8 feet tall. It was 60 dollars. Remember, the antenna is the most important part of your setup.
Agreed 👌 I mentioned in another comment that I can't get into underground parking with a whip. As a freelance worker I need to get into everywhere the work leads me.
Jerry Arbs oh. Ok. So You use this for work communication? Or is it just as a hobby? I bring my antenna up and down all the time. When I don’t use it. It goes up to the apartment again.
@@sa6kod154 do you have a quick disconnector or swivel mount of sorts?
Jerry Arbs sorry, I don’t understand. I bring my radio in a plastic bag. And then the antenna in the other hand. Up and down everytime.
That setting is not called reverse, it is called reflection.
I've heard "reflection "reverse and "reference" haha. As long as we get er done.
The actual term is Reflected, not reflection, reverse or reference.
Why aren't you showing us Channel 5 10 15 20 25 30 35? That would give us Geeks a lot of data to absorb
If you have an SWR to tune like this, you are welcome to geek out since you already have it. 😋🤟
@@JerryArbs the question was why didn't you show us other channels between 1 and 40? If you're going to make a video I mean you should have Incorporated other channels to show us ,the consumer, 🤣
Does it matter where the RF gain knob and the squelch knob are set while doing this?
It shouldn't due to you are not trying to send out any messages. During Calibration your just adjusting the frequency output and input of the antenna. Hope it helps.
Where do u get the meters
Found mine locally. Amazon has them too