CB Radio Tuning

DAS_GTI · 09-09-2007, 01:35 AM

So I've heard from many sources how important it is to tune your CB setup once it is installed before using it heavily... I am having the hardest time finding ANYONE who knows what that is... I'm in Simi Valley, CA and I've called everyone here as well as the San Fernando Valley with "radio" in their company name... no one can recommend or knows where I can get my CB setup tuned.

I know it's simple but I would really just prefer to have it done professionally for like $20 bucks so I don't have to worry about it. Anyone have any suggestions?

**rocket** · 09-09-2007, 01:39 AM

Depends what you have...? are you asking about your antenna or the CB itself?

DAS_GTI · 09-09-2007, 01:45 AM

Don't you need to have the Antenna/CB radio unit tuned together after install?

KevinInSac · 09-09-2007, 01:58 AM

Dude, buy a SWR meter off ebay for like 15$ and do it yourself. My firestik just requires turning a screw at the top of the antenna. Only downside is the meter plugs directly in line between your cable and the CB, so you'll have to pull it.

Oh, and try calling a truck stop. They'll know wat you're talking about.

Merlin · 09-09-2007, 08:55 AM

if you mean tuning the antenna, then the above poster is correct. all you need is a swr meter and a short patch cable.

radio -> swr meter -> antenna.

follow the directions that came w/ the swr meter. if you have a firestik or skip shooter, you're in luck - you have an adjustable tip (screw for firestik, nail for skipshooter).

if you have a whip with a loading coil (usually bottom load), sometimes there is a set screw on the bottom that you can use to raise/lower the antenna for lowest swr.

if you're using a 102" whip, you just have to trim the antenna in small (very small) amounts. remember, you can always snip another 1/8", but you can't put it back.

4Crawler · 09-11-2007, 03:10 PM

You can get tan SWR meter from Radio Shack, I think mine ran $10 on sale, or some radios have a built-in SWR meter. Easy enough to do:
http://firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

If you want to find a shop, might have better luck along the major interstates, find a truck stop and see if they can reccommend a local CB shop.

Expat · 09-11-2007, 06:42 PM

If you can get to Agoura Hills you can use my SWR meter. Pretty darn easy.

Cheers
Mark

olharleyman · 09-12-2007, 01:24 AM

You can go to Castaic about 5-10 miles from 5/405 junction there is a radio shop in front of the truck wash by the Giant truck stop that can tune the radio and get you some dead key and swing then tune your antenna.

09-09-2007, 01:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
DAS_GTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 88	CB Radio Tuning So I've heard from many sources how important it is to tune your CB setup once it is installed before using it heavily... I am having the hardest time finding ANYONE who knows what that is... I'm in Simi Valley, CA and I've called everyone here as well as the San Fernando Valley with "radio" in their company name... no one can recommend or knows where I can get my CB setup tuned. I know it's simple but I would really just prefer to have it done professionally for like $20 bucks so I don't have to worry about it. Anyone have any suggestions? __________________ 1996 FZJ80 - OEM Locked, CDL switch/Pin-7 Mod, Cobra 18WX STII/Firestik II 3', Sony GT420IP

09-09-2007, 01:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,337	Depends what you have...? are you asking about your antenna or the CB itself? __________________ under construction: '96-'02 gone: '92

09-09-2007, 01:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
DAS_GTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 88	Don't you need to have the Antenna/CB radio unit tuned together after install? __________________ 1996 FZJ80 - OEM Locked, CDL switch/Pin-7 Mod, Cobra 18WX STII/Firestik II 3', Sony GT420IP

09-09-2007, 01:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
KevinInSac Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA (Carmichael) Posts: 1,034	Dude, buy a SWR meter off ebay for like 15$ and do it yourself. My firestik just requires turning a screw at the top of the antenna. Only downside is the meter plugs directly in line between your cable and the CB, so you'll have to pull it. Oh, and try calling a truck stop. They'll know wat you're talking about. __________________ 92 ExCab Pickup SR5 3.0 5spd 4X4 Pretty much stock. I've done some stuff though. Last edited by KevinInSac : 09-09-2007 at 02:00 AM.

09-11-2007, 03:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,291	You can get tan SWR meter from Radio Shack, I think mine ran $10 on sale, or some radios have a built-in SWR meter. Easy enough to do: http://firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm If you want to find a shop, might have better luck along the major interstates, find a truck stop and see if they can reccommend a local CB shop. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs. r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

09-09-2007, 08:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Merlin Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 118	if you mean tuning the antenna, then the above poster is correct. all you need is a swr meter and a short patch cable. radio -> swr meter -> antenna. follow the directions that came w/ the swr meter. if you have a firestik or skip shooter, you're in luck - you have an adjustable tip (screw for firestik, nail for skipshooter). if you have a whip with a loading coil (usually bottom load), sometimes there is a set screw on the bottom that you can use to raise/lower the antenna for lowest swr. if you're using a 102" whip, you just have to trim the antenna in small (very small) amounts. remember, you can always snip another 1/8", but you can't put it back.

09-11-2007, 06:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Expat Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Agoura Hills, CA Posts: 454	If you can get to Agoura Hills you can use my SWR meter. Pretty darn easy. Cheers Mark __________________ Mark 04 4Runner SE,275x70x17 MTR's, Shrockworks Bullbar, Shrockworks Rock Sliders, 1.5" 4Crawler Body Lift, Kurt trailing Arms, OME Suspension, MagnaFlow muffler, 60" High Lift Jack, Yaesu FT-7800 Ham Radio, Diamond Magnetic Mount Antenna, Cobra 75WX ST CB radio, Wilson 5000 Antenna, Sirius Satellite Radio, Garmin iQue GPS, On-board CO2 system.

09-12-2007, 01:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 1,838	You can go to Castaic about 5-10 miles from 5/405 junction there is a radio shop in front of the truck wash by the Giant truck stop that can tune the radio and get you some dead key and swing then tune your antenna. __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only Streached 5.5 gal. tanks 16" Ape Hangers 3" open primary 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq. Last edited by olharleyman : 09-12-2007 at 01:27 AM.

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