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?

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

Cheers
Mark

 

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.