Hey all. I just got a 4' Firestik, does anyone have any idea on how to tune it. Since i have no clue.

 

Try here
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

 

go to radioshack and pick up an SWR meter....I got mine on sale for $10.

 

Ditto on the Radio Shack meter. Some hardcore CB'ers may turn up their noses on anything that isn't a Bird meter or maybe a Dosy, but unless you're running serious (read that illegal) power and may actually seriously damage your equipment with high SWR levels at high power, the RS meter will work just fine.

My RS meter has been with me for over five years, and still works just fine. I actually got lazy and just left it inline with the last install.

Hope this helps,

Merlin

 

i did'nt know there were still hardcore cb'ers...lol

 

i didnt feel like spending $40 on an swr meter at the time so i just went to my local cb shop and got it tuned for $5 and all was well. either way should work just fine

 

I got one of those Cobra ashtray C.B's I'm gonna stop by a C.B. shop in Fl. and have it "peeked and tuned" Having a Big Radio comes in handy when people get separated on the trail

 

One thing about these "peak and tune" deals you may want to watch out for (well, maybe a couple of things) -

They may turn up the VR to get a little more output, but sometimes the sound is not as clean, and I've heard that the radios run hotter and this can shorten their lifespan somewhat. I don't know anyone that suffered this fate, but YMMV. If they advertise "xxx watts increase or output", it may depend a LOT on the type of meter they are using. Some brands of meters are "generous" with their measurements of output power, so don't be fooled.

They may also turn up the VR for modulation to make the radio "louder" but sometimes they can go too far and you can end up with lots of "splatter" and overmodulation. Some CB types are not too forgiving if you bleed over adjacent channels. In a worst-case scenario, the shop may clip the circuit completely in the quest for 100% modulation (generally not recommended).

If you go this route, you may want to get a radio check to see how the radio sounds after the peak and tune, people are generally pretty good about telling you if you are clear, overmodulated, bleeding several channels, etc...

Another option is to get the schematics, open up the box and have a go at it yourself with a small screwdriver. As long as you mark your factory start point and adjust in small increments with radio checks in between (or a power meter, if you're trying to adjust output power) you should be okay as well. Also... resist the temptation to try to turn things up all the way and just go for it.

Best of luck to you - not trying to discourage you or anything, just wanted to pass on some info on these "peak and tune" deals. Some of the CB boards are loaded with horror stories about truck stop/cb shop "tunes".

Aloha (and sorry for the long msg),

Merlin

 

Thank you guys for responding i found a local shop where i can get it tuned. i don't feel like shelling out the $ 35 for the meter.