CB tuning help

[ZPDFJ]

Just picked up the rig from John at SD Trux yesterday. Feeling good with the 120k service now behind me. I had John mount my firestick and run the line to my Cobra so im connected now. Only thing is I need to get my stick tuned. I called Mudshack and they are closed for good, they are sending everyone to some Audio place in El Cajon. So... I was wondering if anyone here in SanDiego could help me tune my firestick/cb so i can use this darn thing?

 

[Giulitto]

Have you tried the website? I was just on there and they have a contact number for tech issues. I also looked into the FAQ section but nothing much about how to tune, just that it was important. Thing is they are open only Monday to Friday.

 

[AppleTech]

Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company

Go pick up an SWR meter (includes jumper) from radio shack for $30.

-Phil

 

[sdnative]

Go pick up an SWR meter

x2.

I'd help you if I had one, but quite honestly I just plugged mine in and it works fine.

 

[bluto]

x2.

I'd help you if I had one, but quite honestly I just plugged mine in and it works fine.

Do you have a mag mount?
I had a mag mount from Radio Shack and it did great without tuning when it was new. Now 3 years later it wont transmit well - off/on depending if it feels like it. It might be the radio screwed up by an untune antenna or the tear in the coax wire .

Id recommend tuning it.

Appletechs CB setup was kicking it on the last run he led. Crystal clear and good range. He tuned it properly though. I recall he had a write up on his. I will probably copy his antenna setup. Buy another cheap CB and a good antenna to put on the ARB bumper since it wont be my primary communication setup.

Dont have a working CB right now but currently run a Yaesu 2800 with a Wilson 2M Mag mount which works fine without tuning it yet.

 

[619TOY]

I have an SWR meter from RadioShack that you're welcome to borrow, although I think they're pretty cheap.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), my antenna is a wideband antenna and required no tuning

Edit: I just checked it out and the owners manual seems to have grown legs. You can download the manual from the radioshack site though. also, it's $50 now so maybe borrowing it makes more sense.

 

[sdnative]

Do you have a mag mount?

I have the wilson little-wil. It's all in one: coax, mag mount and antenna. I think I paid $30 or so for it.

I haven't spend too much time on the CB. I use the 2m almost exclusively.

I had a mag mount from Radio Shack and it did great without tuning when it was new. Now 3 years later it wont transmit well - off/on depending if it feels like it. It might be the radio screwed up by an untune antenna or the tear in the coax wire .

Probably a problem with the coax, esp if it goes in and out. Check your terminations and looks for shorts. A SWR reading of unity is ideal, but I dont think you start damaging the radio until you get up around 2.5 - 3.0

 

[macneill]

X3 on the SWR meter. I picked one up cheap on Amazon.com. I have the Lil' Will too and just "adjusted" it by grinding down the tip in 1/8" increments until it was spot on.

 

[ZPDFJ]

Thing is they are open only Monday to Friday.

I spoke to the old man yesterday and he informed me they are shutting the buisness down for good, not for the weekend. Don't know if I made that clear....

I will see about the tuner, thanks for the offer of borrowing yours. I will do some reading in the provided link and see what to do once I get the tuner, im a little confused about this tech...

 

[Giulitto]

I spoke to the old man yesterday and he informed me they are shutting the buisness down for good, not for the weekend. Don't know if I made that clear....

I think you said mudstick was shutting down? I was talking about the actual firestik website.......if you were saying the same thing, then I retract my previous.

 

[sdcrzr]

Zach,

Call me on Monday. My wife is office manger for RF Parts / Diamond Antenna. I'll see if she can borrow a meter from the office and I'll help you set it up.

Think of SWR, (standing wave ratio), as a measure of resistance. How much radio wave signal leaves the antenna versus how much returns to the radio. Too high a ratio and damage to radio is probable.

Once your system is set up you shouldn't need to mess with it again, unless changes are made to the system.

John

 

[ZPDFJ]

I think you said mudstick was shutting down? I was talking about the actual firestik website.......if you were saying the same thing, then I retract my previous.

Ooops too much socal sun

 

[ZPDFJ]

what a guy...

Zach,

Call me on Monday. My wife is office manger for RF Parts / Diamond Antenna. I'll see if she can borrow a meter from the office and I'll help you set it up.

Think of SWR, (standing wave ratio), as a measure of resistance. How much radio wave signal leaves the antenna versus how much returns to the radio. Too high a ratio and damage to radio is probable.

Once your system is set up you shouldn't need to mess with it again, unless changes are made to the system.

John

You're the man. John I will give you a ring maybe I could come by on thursday or friday for a tuning...