[suicideking]

I had my Cobra 75 installed and they apparently didn't do it correctly.

I used the car stereo shop that did my sound system on 2 cars, they did a great job on both cars.

So anyway, they told me they new what they were doing. When I picked it up, they had the mic mounted where I wanted, but they had stuck the SWR meter that came with the kit to the side of the center console near the shifter (automatic transmision).

So I briefly tried to adjust the tuning with the SWR meter, and will try again tomorrow. I read the CB thread and printed out the instructions.

Main question: There is pretty much constant static. Should there only be sound on the CB if someone is talking? I was able to hear some talking on one of the channels, but the static is pretty much constant.

I'm going to take it back to the stereo shop tomorrow, just trying to get an idea of what it should be like when it's correct.

Question #2:
Should the CB work fine with the SWR meter connected? Or do I need to tune with the SWR meter, then disconnect it and try?

 

[Iceman]

There will always be static, until you adjust the squelch knob. The squelch will have be adjusted each time you change channel and occasionally while on channel if conditions change drastically. Is there an excessive amt of static? I normally use the swr meter to tune the rig then remove it. What type of antenna are you running?

 

[sparky]

You use the SWR meter to setup (tune) the antenna. The meter itself does not tune anything.

It can be left in-line during operation, it will not make any difference. If it's physically in the way, take it out.

 

[suicideking]

I got a Cobra 75 kit with 3' Firestick for Christmas.

I did a lot of reading last night after I posted, sounds like it just wasn't tuned. I'm going to try this morning.

I'm not quite sure I understand how to shorten or lengthen the antenna though. I have printed out the directions at:
Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company

Looks like making it shorter is easy because you just cut off part of the wire. Not quite sure how to make it longer if needed.

 

[suicideking]

I went to tune it and it was well over 3 on the SWR meter, so I figured something was wrong.

I found a CB shop in Fontana, CA called 'CB Radio Shop' that was part of a truck stop. They really knew what they were doing and found that the post for the antenna was bad (probably from over-tightening). Plus the Coax was bad, probably pinched during the install.

So while there, I also picked up a quick disconnect because they mounted it on the spare tire holder and it won't fit inside my garage. Then took my Jeep back to the car stereo shop so they can run the new coax. I gave them a short lecture about telling me they could do it when they obviously couldn't.

The guy at the CB shop said the car stereo place did a good job considering, just didn't really have a clue about CB installs.

So the moral of the story, is don't get it done at a car stereo shop EVEN IF they say they know how to do it...