Tell me about CB Radios

[Fordum]

Let's say everything is hooked up now...you want me to remove the coax from the radio and test that end of the coax

YES! with the cable hooked to the antenna, and not to the radio, hook the ohm meter probes from the center pin to the outside part of the connector. And from the center pin to a ground.

It should be an open circuit both ways.
If you have a resistance reading, you have a problem with the cable or antenna.

 

[Chief Brody]

ok

center tip of coax to outside ground ring = zero
center tip of coax to ground - zero

Center pin to whip = continuity, good signal

outer ground ring to ground on antennae mount = continuity, good signal

 

[Fordum]

That is what we want. If you hook it to the radio and still don't get anything, then its probably the radio.

 

[frankin5]

One thing I feel should be mentioned, never, ever key a radio without an antenna, thats a good way to start frying internals.

Maybe too late
from post 13
I checked it...it's ok
it hums but no hiss. The PA function works mic and all
but on CB it just hums... but when I key it and speak the light in the meter dims in rhythm to my voice...but the needle does not move

 

[Chief Brody]

Maybe too late
from post 13
I checked it...it's ok
it hums but no hiss. The PA function works mic and all
but on CB it just hums... but when I key it and speak the light in the meter dims in rhythm to my voice...but the needle does not move

so "keying" a CB radio a few times with no antennae will fry them?

 

[Chief Brody]

also...my radio never made a sound before I ever touched the mic....it never received anything...

 

[Chief Brody]

oh well...

I got this one on the way

 

[BlazerFarm]

I have that one in my FJ Cruiser. You'll like it. That WX comes in handy when you are out camping. I bought the 29 without the WX years ago for the Blazer. It's worked like a champ in dust, top off rain, and hot sun.

 

[blazinzuk]

so "keying" a CB radio a few times with no antennae will fry them?

With power to the radio being on yes it will keying the mike, pressing down on the button on the mike with power on and no antenna hooked up will fry your radio

 

[gotblazers]

Leave it on channel 19 if you want to hear us truckers. West of the Mississippi the radio stays pretty quiet, but if you ask for a radio check passing by a truck stop a bored driver will likely help you out though it may take 2 or 3 shots. Things aren't like they used to be I'm sad to say. It can still be helpful once in a while though.

 

[diesel4me]

You can make a "dummy load" to test the output transistors and allow the mike to be keyed up without harming them,by soldering a #47 6V light bulb to a
PL-259 connector or short length of coax with the connector --if the CB is putting out it should light up the bulb brightly with the mike keyed...best not to leave it keyed too long though...resistors can also be used...the "dummy load" acts as a antenna substitute--just as turning a car radio on without a speaker hooked up can fry output transistors,a CB and a radio both need a load to work against ,or the transistors can pop...

A common "mean" trick to put a CB'r off the air back in the day was to put a pin in the coax,that would short the outer braided ground sheathing to the center conductor...dead short = smoked output transistors,and maybe more..

 

[Chief Brody]

I checked it...no light..so...output is shot...either I did it or it never worked...so are they still fixable?

 

[kennyw]

Leave it on channel 19 if you want to hear us truckers. West of the Mississippi the radio stays pretty quiet, but if you ask for a radio check passing by a truck stop a bored driver will likely help you out though it may take 2 or 3 shots. Things aren't like they used to be I'm sad to say. It can still be helpful once in a while though.

That is because more drivers are switching to ham radio for a better experience.

 

[Chief Brody]

New CB is installed and working...though I haven't got it out of the garage yet because I don't have seats...
I can pick up the weather radio loud and clear...can't wait to get it outside and calibrate it and see if there is any activity on 19...