JakeCheez Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Hey I've got a cobra 29 lcd with a 1000 watt antenna. My range is about 30 feet. I don't understand, cause all the other trucks in our site can talk for miles. I have called cobra and I got it tuned in right, it just doesn't put out at good range.Someone told me it's cause I drive a Mack and I need to ground out the antenna wire.............Any ideas? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanteraPilot Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Where is you antenna mounted? Some trucks have fiberglass doors (the mirrors are attached to the doors). The antenna needs a good strong connection to metal. Perhaps this is your issue. You mention it is tuned "right". What did you do to determine it is tuned right? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-97732 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Is the cable in good shape?Not real sure, but maybe a good ground from the antenna to chassis might help. You would think that the shield in the cable would ground it back to the radio and would work fine?What brand antenna? could be faulty? Tried a SWR meter on it? Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-97733 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCheez Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 i havnt tried a SWR meter on it (not sure what that is). The antenna is mounted on the mirror and the cable is brand new, It runs straight from my antenna to the radio with no wear, tears or bends. not sure the brand......... My doors are steel, but some guy says they are rubber mounted on macks, so thats why I need to ground it at the back of the radio.......Seems weird to me. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-97911 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Covert Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I thought all CH models had a Maxiglass cab and doors? I have a ground wire on the ch I drive with the hardware mounted on a bar on the back of the cab that holds up the spring that holds the hoses out of the way. The Macks @ UPS have the best cb reception over the other brands. Make a ground wire. Also check for a ground strap that may be broken on your truck. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-97927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
billythekid Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I would ground your antenna to somewere on the frame what kind of anntena are you runnin firestick or a wilson? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-97929 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Doctor Jr. Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Is the mike gain turned all the way up? Mike gain is how loud u are. Is it a cobra 29 ltd? It should have a built in swr meter if so. Did u put the antenna mount together right? The plastic piece goes on top the aluminum mount,( common mistake) if this is not right the radio will not function right at all. There is many things it can be..... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-97930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Did you hear about the two anteanna that got married? The wedding was boring, but the RECEPTION was amazing! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98020 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCheez Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 The antenna is a firestick and it is mounted through a hole in my mirror cross bar. the cable connects directly to the antenna.I know the doors are steel, because I have magnets on them.The radio is a 29lx with the swr switch on it. I can be heard by other radios, I just don't recieve anything........ Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98021 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCheez Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 and I was told that multiple antennas look cool, but don't do anything. Not sure if there is any truth to that- Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98022 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtywhiteboy Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 and I was told that multiple antennas look cool, but don't do anything. Not sure if there is any truth to that- 2 antinnas will be more domanet but in a smaller area,where a single one will get out farther but not as strong...to origanal post...make sure plastic washer is between airal an braket,..an run a 16 gage ground wire from braket to radio an from radio to fram,..ch cab is mounted on rubber bushing for cab suspision an air bags...if this dont fix you up,..then take your radio to good cb shop an get it tuned,some times the inturnal adjustments are off from factory... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98040 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 sometimes you have to squeeze the prongs inside were coax hooks to middle section on antenna,,scrape off any corrosion,around connections,and shoot wd40 on all the connections.good luck bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Did you hear about the two anteanna that got married? The wedding was boring, but the RECEPTION was amazing!Bad.....very bad Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98049 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 The antenna is a firestick and it is mounted through a hole in my mirror cross bar. the cable connects directly to the antenna.I know the doors are steel, because I have magnets on them.The radio is a 29lx with the swr switch on it. I can be heard by other radios, I just don't recieve anything........what about the rf gain? is that turned all the way clockwise?..if it's getting out but you can't hear- sometimes you overlook the simple things. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98151 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 and I was told that multiple antennas look cool, but don't do anything. Not sure if there is any truth to that-I'm running 2 now, but I always had better luck with a single antennae, and a single is easier to set the swr on. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98154 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCheez Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 2 antinnas will be more domanet but in a smaller area,where a single one will get out farther but not as strong...to origanal post...make sure plastic washer is between airal an braket,..an run a 16 gage ground wire from braket to radio an from radio to fram,..ch cab is mounted on rubber bushing for cab suspision an air bags...if this dont fix you up,..then take your radio to good cb shop an get it tuned,some times the inturnal adjustments are off from factory... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98783 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCheez Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 Oops-I meant to say this is what I'll be doing today (if I don't freeze first @ -30). The gain is all the way to the right, but the dyna mic is only halfway. Not sure what that is...... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Could be something wrong with the mic,does the needle move all the way to the right when you talk,I have no ground wires on my radio or antenna in my cl and the doors are not steel,radio works good but might work better if I ground it,have to try it... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-98787 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I'd like to know what is wrong with the Cobra 29 LX with weather?I've been wanting that unit.mike Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-99068 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaddeusW Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Don't bother with a dual antenna system. They are only effective if spaced about 9 feet apart and create a directional radiation pattern that favors fore-aft reception. They also need to have a specific coax cable length to keep the impedences matched.Just buy a quality 1/4 wave whip antenna. Quote -Thad What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-99076 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Oops-I meant to say this is what I'll be doing today (if I don't freeze first @ -30).The gain is all the way to the right, but the dyna mic is only halfway. Not sure what that is......the dynamike is just another name for mic. gain, the rf gain will let you hear more when turned all the way to the right, even static. you just have to set that and the squelch knob where you like it. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22616-cb-radio-range/#findComment-99113 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.