I cannot get my CB radio tuned.....HELP!!!

[Ddub1973]

 

I installed the uniden 520xl by running the power to a 12v adaptor.  I mounted the antenna to the spare tire carrier with a 6" steel L bracket from home depot.  I made sure to grind away the paint to get contact.  I ran a ground wire (14G) from the antenna to the bed of the jeep just to the right of where the stock jack goes and I also spliced a ground wire to the antenna mount to ground it to the same place.  You will see this in the attaced pictures.

I am not able to get a reading on channel 1 or 40 under 3 when I try to tune it.  Can anyone tell me where I am going wrong here?  This is obviously the first time I am doing this.



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[Hi Lo Silver]

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[FiEND]

You may lose a bit for the quick connect
You may lose a bit because your ground wires aren't matched impedance
You may lose a bit because its a jeep
You can run it at 3 , channels 1-40 don't matter , tune it for channels people use like 10-20
Mine and Bonnie's jeeps are mounted behind tail light and pull 2.5 on a good day but we consistently have very good quality sending and receiving so swr 3 and under is fine. If you're lucky and get better that's good.

[w squared]

Have you tried tuning it without the antenna ground connected?

Does the SWR meter tell you that your Antenna is too short (or too long) at both ends of the channel spectrum?

[Ddub1973]

Have you tried tuning it without the antenna ground connected?

Does the SWR meter tell you that your Antenna is too short (or too long) at both ends of the channel spectrum?

Both readings are just over 3 so I'm not sure where to adjust it.

[Ddub1973]

When you say you grounded your antenae....did you just run a ground from your copper braided ground wire to ground? If not then you need to as well as a ground wire from your mount plate to ground. I also run a ground from the CB unit body. I'd also ditch the  power plug kit and run the power directly to the positive on the battery. Gets rid of plenty of interference from all the rest of the electrical as well as engine noise.

Would you happen to have a picture of where I need to run the power?  How do I get to the battery?

[Hi Lo Silver]

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[w squared]

Passenger side, just inside the cowl. There's a bunch of foam up in there but it's easy to poke through. Just duct tape your wire to a coat hanger, and play fisherman. That'll get you power right off the battery.

You will need to know if your antenna is too short or too long. Adjust it all the way to the long end, then see what your SWR is. The try it at the short end, and see what your SWR is. Also, did you try with the "extra" ground disconnected?

[Ddub1973]

Last night with the help of my wife holding the flashlight I was able to find a pathway through the firewall and run a power wire directly to the post on the fuse box and it was much easier to find a ground as there are a few right under the dash on either side. I removed the "over grounding" I did to the antenna and all I have to do now is mount the CB itself.

I'm going to mount it on the passanger side of the stick shifter and make it removeable. I'm going to find myself an open field after work today to make another attempt at tuning the antenna. 

[Ddub1973]

So I tried to tune my antenna today with no success. I was out in an open field with nothing around for interference. Still getting readings over 3.

Is there anyone that might not mind lending a hand to see how I have hooked this up and maybe get this working properly?

[cLAY]

Are your readings showing that the antenna is too long or too short? If its too short you can try adding a spring at the base.

[Ddub1973]

I'm not real sure.  This is the first time I have ever tried installing a CB.  I get readings on channel 1 and 40 that are over 3.

[morerpmfred]

Sounds like the antenna is grounded out. Do not key your mike as the radio will short out.


Sent from my I junk

[morerpmfred]

The inside wire should not be grounded out. Just the outside wire sheath.


Sent from my I junk

[FiEND]

Sent from my I junk