Q&A for How to Peak and Tune a CB Radio

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Question

I have a handheld 40-channel CB and am trying to listing to truckers in my house. Can you help me improve my results?

Community Answer

Ditch the antenna that came with it and purchase a better one.

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Question

How can I fix motor noise when I transmit?

Community Answer

Directly powering the radio from the battery instead of the cigarette lighter plug can help.

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Question

How do I fix a meter needle that is stuck on a CB radio?

Community Answer

In most cases, you will need to replace it. If you are handy and careful, you can do it yourself. You will need a Phillips screwdriver, soldering iron, lots of patience, and a new meter.

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Question

How can I make my CB come out in electrical off repeaters?

Community Answer

You can't -- that's for FM radios only (like Ham radios MURS and GMRS). CB linked to a repeater is like a PS4 and XBOX trying to multi play -- it's not compatible.

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Question

Where can I get bigger finals?

Community Answer

Your best bet will be to buy a small RF amplifier. Fifty watts will be safe if you have the antennas mounted and grounded properly. There are a few other considerations. The amount of energy can effect your car's ECM. There are many horror stories of ECMs being fried by high-wattage radios and improperly-mounted radios and antennas. In short, stay with the factory radio or spend the money and go to a reputable radio tech to have it done right.

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Question

How do I talk to my friends on the CB?

Community Answer

Once you and your friends each have a radio, select a channel 1-8 or 10-40, tell your friends to tune into the same channel and talk!

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Question

When I adjust my squelch by a push button switch on my Harley Davidson and go from wide open to close to eliminate noise, the squelch will not stay. It goes back open by itself. What causes this?

Community Answer

Two things can cause this. One, the button is not designed for your purpose or is self timed. Two, the vibrations from your bike releases the button without external input. If the latter is true, then try reversing the polarity of the button (then full open will go to full closed without input).

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Question

What do I do if I can hear on my CB radio but can't transmit out?

Community Answer

Place an SWR meter and short cable between the radio and the antenna as close to the radio as possible. Select an open channel and do a radio check. During PTT, look and see if you are in fact putting out any power. If you are, then adjust your SWR and place the antenna in a better location. Since you can receive, it’s likely your radio transmitter is faulty and needs repair or replacement.

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Question

Everything I am receiving is garbled. What is my problem?

Eyecue

Community Answer

You may be on SSB or on AM hearing SSB. Since you did not post the make and model of the radio, it is hard to say.

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