cb radio

[Ron and Patti]

can anyone tell me were i can find a good 12 volt lead for my cb radio the factory wire gives me feed back from the am-fm radio

[Ron and Patti]

can anyone tell me were i can find a good 12 volt lead for my cb radio the factory wire gives me feed back from the am-fm radio

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ron and Patti:
can anyone tell me were i can find a good 12 volt lead for my cb radio the factory wire gives me feed back from the am-fm radio </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ron,

Since the AM/FM dosn't broadcast unless you have a transmitter for wireless headphones or speakers could you clarify what you are experiencing. Is the AM/FM picking up your CB transmissions and causing feedback when the CB microphone picks up the sound from the AM/FM radios speakers or are you getting some type of clicking or static when you have both the CB and AM/FM turned on at the same time?

Regards,

[Ron and Patti]

i am getting clicking and static when keying up and feed back at the speakers

[Gary CA]

Ron and Patti: I was in a hurry when we took delivery of the coach. Fortunately the dealer installed the CB. There was AM/FM feedback. The dealer discovered that the factory installed the wrong coaxial cable. The dealer switched it out for "shielded coaxial cable" and no further issues. Hope this helps.

[Ron and Patti]

ok thankyou i will try to put on a new coaxial cable and see what happens. thanks Ron

[The Clock Meister]

Before you go to the trouble of running new cable, make sure that the radio is tuned to your antenna. This is relatively simple with a SWR meter, but if you don't have one it may be as simple as having a radio shop adjust that for you. If your SWR is off, you will definitely have problems with feedback in any nearby receivers.

Chris

[troth]

It's my understanding that SWR is to be checked with the antenna, coax wire, and CB all mounted. Then the antenna (or radio) can be tuned. I also understood that excess coax should be coiled in a circle about 8" dia. or larger, not bundled like clothesline...

Good luck Ron.

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by troth:
It's my understanding that SWR is to be checked with the antenna, coax wire, and CB all mounted. Then the antenna (or radio) can be tuned. I also understood that excess coax should be coiled in a circle about 8" dia. or larger, not bundled like clothesline...

Good luck Ron.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes!

I think the advice to check the SWR is sound. Also be sure you have a good ground for the radio and clean & tight coax connections.

About coiling up the coax - this gets pretty complicated but it really shouldn't have any effect on the transmitter-antenna match in most cases. In some antenna matching situations a coil of so many turns of coax is actually used to match the antenna impedance to the transmitter but I believe all of these are usually installed at the antenna end and only for certain antenna designs. With all of the ham antennas I built and played with, I never was concerned with how the excess coax was stowed.

[Ron and Patti]

i am wondering if it would be in my best interest to put in a new antenna like a fire stick were i dont need a swr meter.mount it on my ladder rack and see if i get any feed back.

[John_Canfield]

I'm not familiar with the fire stick - is it tuneable? If it is not tuneable then it is a crap shoot if it will work well.

When you mount any antenna that will transmit, be sure and mount it in the clear, i.e., not on a bumper or on a ladder rung where any part of the antenna will be within a couple of feet (at least) of any metal object. If you do, this will detune the antenna and it will NEVER work well (not to mention it will mess up the radiation pattern.)

Unless the antenna is specifically designed for mounting on fiberglass (like a boat) it will need to have a nice large area (maybe 9 or 12 square feet) of metal centered *under* it for a good counterpoise (counterpoise is the "other half" of the antenna.)

[Ron and Patti]

I disconected the wire from the factory 12 volt. for the cb and ran and 12 plug to the cigarette lighter and now I dont seem to have any feed back.and that is with the factory antenna on the roof of the motorhome.Thankyou for all your help and information.Ron

[DSouthw524]

Be sure to check or have someone check the SWR. It is not that hard a process and can save your radio.