CB install

[Scrambler82]

Coax does get old and needs to be replaced but the main problem in a mobile setup is the bends and damaged sections; these cause all kinds of problems.

Get some new coax, Belden,Tune the system for lowest SWR (a must) as Tom 994 stated and see what is happening, can't hurt.
Another thing, I found through experience that a good ground is needed and I do not mean the coax shield to the antenna but the mount where the antenna mounts need to be grounded to the frame, a good electrical ground.
Also, the 4 foot antenna, mounted to the bumper of a Ranger, equates to the top of the antenna a little over the bed of the vehicle, directly in line for all of the Cab noise and could be picking up Fuel Pump noise.

Here is something I would try, either borrow a good Magnet mount antenna setup or buy one for a trial run (return it if it doesn't work) place the antenna/mag mount on the roof centered on the vehicle.
Run the coax through the window don't squash it in the door (you might need to return it) chk the SWR, just for grins, hook it up and turn on the CB.
Before starting the truck chk for noise level, with and without the coax from the CB, now do the same with the engine running; this will determine if the noise is coming through the wiring or antenna.

It is a process of elimination and the big problem is that you will never eliminate all of the noise.

 

[5speedin2.3]

Coax does get old and needs to be replaced but the main problem in a mobile setup is the bents and damaged sections; these cause all kinds of problems.

Get some new coax, Belden, re-Tune the system and see what is happening, can't hurt.

x2

Go get 18ft of Belden 8x coax.
You always want to go by 3ft, so if you need 4ft you should get 6ft.

Most mobile antennas are made to be ran with 18ft.

 

[orange_ranger]

is coax just what u call the wire cause i think my problem might be that i just spliced a bunch of old used cb wire together

 

[ScubaDive]

coax a type of wire used for the antenna, just do a quick search with goggle and type in Coax you'll see pic's and you can learn what it takes to do a splice, not recommend. Use one continuous wire(coax) for the antenna.

 

[5speedin2.3]

is coax just what u call the wire cause i think my problem might be that i just spliced a bunch of old used cb wire together

That would be the problem, you can't "splice" coax.

Go out and get some new coax. Or order some off ebay.

 

[Scrambler82]

Another of my things I do is double-checking all of the wire and replace if there is the least damage to them.

The "Power Leads" are the red and black wires from the back of the CB to the battery.

The "Coax" is the wire from the large round connector on the rear of the CB to the antenna. It is coaxial cable made up of a center connector, some sort of insulator (foam is the best), a shielding braid (100% coverage is the best) and then some sheathing.

BOTH of these need to be one continuous piece, the Pwr Leads can be pieces but you risk bad connections.

Power Lead carry the 12 volts to run the radio and can be made from 16-ga wire but 18-ga can be used if the CB is the only component that will use these wires.
The Coax carries the signals to and from the antenna. There are only a few manufacturers of Coaxial Cable but there are different quality based on the name on the cable.
Stick to one simple name for coax, BELDEN, questionable the best coax on the market for all type of communications needs. There are others and the other may or may not be better but for CBs it works great. Stick to RG-8X, a little over kill but a good compromise from the larger RG-8 (.500 OD) and the smaller RG-58U (.250 OD); the RG58U will work OK too for a CB but the cost difference isn't much.

Here I go talk, talk, talk...

Later,

 

[orange_ranger]

sounds good i will definetly get some new coax asap

 

[Scrambler82]

orange_ranger,

How's this go'n ?

 

[crappieman]

cb

Admittedly i did not read every post pertraing ti your woes , but if you are not to apt with what you are doing my first concern from my brief reading would be the location of your antenna which seems to be a little close to the metal of the tail gate for starters , which could by its self be a problem . Secondly if you sre not familiar with the workings of the setup again not my personal first choice would be going to a local truck stop they usually atleast have someone that can get you up and running but i again would not let them inside any of my radios for i have yet to see one myslf with a tech with the credentials i would be comfortable with as technicians go . but at the very least let them take a look at the coax and test it and also for a good ground to the CHASSIS of your truck and if you insist on bed mounting with that size antenna check out maybe a stake hole mount for pickups and mount it on either rear corner but again there is a preference here also , i would go with the passenger rear for signal radiation purposes when traveling considering this is a road ready truck . If you would like more assistance i am willing to help all i can shoot me a PM .

Good Luck

 

[orange_ranger]

thanks for all the help havent bought new coax yet but when i do i will post picks and see if she works thanks a lot

 

[orange_ranger]

k so i am not a complete idiot all my wiring is good i just have never found someone too talk too. installed a friends cb today and then told him too talk and we were able to hear crystal clear so all is good but i will run new coax soon

 

[strvger]

glad to hear it's working for you. sure will come in handy when your on the trails or in a vacation caravan with friends/relatives.

 

[orange_ranger]

ya for sure cell phone bill is gona be a lot cheaper

 

[strvger]

 

[Scrambler82]

k so i am not a complete idiot all my wiring is good i just have never found someone too talk too. installed a friends cb today and then told him too talk and we were able to hear crystal clear so all is good but i will run new coax soon

Don't forget to check the SWR on the antenna after the new coax.
Shouldn't make any difference but good to check.

Sometimes on the trail there are no Cell Towers close enough and the CB is the only method of communication.
The CB will pay for itself and the work installing it IF you need it.

Cell Phones are to personal, closed up communications, when running in a group an open type of communications is needed for all to hear what is going on; enter the CB/Ham Equipment.

Luck on the CB,