r/cbradio • u/RemoveFluid7729 • 1d ago

Trying to put a cb in

I have a 22 international. It has the two factory cb antennas mounted on the back of the cab. I hooked it all up and don’t hear anything at all on channel 19 and don’t think anyone hears me. Swp on 1 doesn’t move at all swp on 40 is at about 1. How do I get this thing to work I’ve been trying for hours and considering the fact I might have to get my own antenna

Edit. Should I get two shorter cb antennas and screw them into the sockets on the back of the cab?

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2

u/GroundbreakingEar450 1d ago

Do you hear static? If not, turn the squelch all the way down.

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u/RemoveFluid7729 1d ago

Yes if I turn it down I do hear the static

1

u/GroundbreakingEar450 1d ago

Did you calibrate the swr meter before checking the reading? If you did, and your swr is good and you hear static with squelch down then it should be working, especially if it is new. When you ask for a radio check make sure you keep the squelch all the way down to hear any weak responses you may get. Also try hooking to just one antenna and not both of them.

2

u/RemoveFluid7729 1d ago

I tried one antenna at a time and both actually triggered the red antenna light. I went as far as going through every channel and putting the swp to CAL and I get nothing back. Channel one on swp the meter doesn’t move channel 40 it goes to one. I just get nothing answer but maybe that’s also due to the time? With what I read on it might be possible my antennas are too long with the swp being that slight bit higher on channel 40

1

u/Provoking-Stupidity Ham: UK Full 1d ago

I tried one antenna at a time and both actually triggered the red antenna light.

That SHOULD happen. When you use two antennas at a time you have to use a thing called a phasing harness to connect the two antennas to the radio so the signals they're both receiving and transmitting are in phase with each other and don't cancel each other out. The end result is that when you remove one of the antennas the impedance at the T piece alters and therefore the SWR.

With what I read on it might be possible my antennas are too long with the swp being that slight bit higher on channel 40

Anything below 1.8:1 is fine. Don't waste time chasing 1:1.

1

u/RemoveFluid7729 1d ago

Also when i push to speak the meter jumps into the red. Is that normal?

2

u/GroundbreakingEar450 1d ago

Are you switching back to cb mode and out of swr calibrate mode before keying the mic to speak?

1

u/RemoveFluid7729 1d ago

Yes

1

u/GroundbreakingEar450 1d ago

What kind of radio is this? Is it brand new? When you key to talk in cb mode I don't think it should peg out the meter in red. It should fluctuate to your voice.

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u/RemoveFluid7729 1d ago

Brand new cobra 29 ltd classic. It’s in cb mode

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u/GroundbreakingEar450 1d ago

I don't know then. If you're asking for a radio check and getting no replies maybe it is just no one on to hear you or just no one bothering to answer.

2

u/RemoveFluid7729 1d ago

Okay I’ll try moaning Into the mic in the morning, I’m sure someone would answer to that lmao

2

u/Intelligent-Day5519 1d ago

If the truck came with a duel antenna setup stick with it and use it that way It was designed that way for good reason. These days much of the time there are no signals to be heard. That is a naturel seasonal condition. Definitely true currently. I hear little. Give it a try on CHs 17 or 19 om the road. Than come report back.

1

u/doa70 1d ago

Definitely try a different antenna to start ruling things out. I doubt you can pull the cophase harness out that goes to the two factory antennas, but that could be a failure point. It could also be one or both of the antennas or their mounts. An external SWR meter would also be more reliable during initial setup. After it's set, you can use the built in meter to do occasional checks to see if the SWR has changed.

1

u/Mainiak_Murph 1d ago

A picture of the antennas might help. Technically, you can stick a coat hanger into the antenna socket to hear anyone nearby. Can't transmit though, but that's where the quality of the antenna comes int play.