Tune-up CB Radios?

[kidx]

I am wondering is it legal to Tune your CB Radios? I see this guy does it over at Bells Cb Radios. I am just wondering if this is legal, Cause FCC says no its not and Canada don't say anything clear about what is legal. I though 5 watts in and 4 watts out is max am i mistaken?

http://www.bellscb.com/products/cbradios/cobra/Cobra_18_wx_st.htm

 

[jwt873]

In Canada Citizens Band (CB) is known as the General Radio Service (GRS).

The rules are pretty well the same. You're only allowed 4 Watts carrier power with AM transmissions. See --> http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01016.html for the full Canadian regulations.

Note the part where it says:

Operators must not make, or have someone else make, any internal modification
to a certified GRS transmitter (technical acceptance certificate - TAC). Any such
modification voids the Industry Canada certification of the radio apparatus.

However, tuning a radio is pretty well a waste of time and money. Bumping 4 watts to 6 or 8 watts will make very little difference to people receiving you and it will put extra stress on the transmitter finals.

 

[kidx]

Thanks so pretty much what i thought, Its illegal and not worth the bs so just keep my radio default thanks.

 

[gewecke]

A Well tuned antenna with some elevation for line of sight, will SOUND like 100 watts. As said tuning your cb for max rf out will only make it work harder, and with no difference to those listening to you. . 73, n9zas

 

[kf4eyr]

what gewecke said,,,,,,,,,,

 

[kidx]

ok with that said whats the best settings for tuning a firestick whip?

 

[kf4eyr]

tune for the best swr,,,, most antennas is not a predetermined deal ya have to use a external swr meter and adjust it,,,

 

[gewecke]

ok with that said whats the best settings for tuning a firestick whip?

Well do you have a external Swr bridge? The first step is to See if you really need to tune it. In many cases, its not needed. 73, n9zas

 

[kidx]

I dont have a SWR meter I just have a Cobra WXST II and Whip.

 

[mmckenna]

I dont have a SWR meter I just have a Cobra WXST II and Whip.

Then don't mess with it until you get a decent SWR meter. Without the proper test equipment any adjustments would be done totally blind.

SWR adjustment depends on more than just the antenna length. The size/shape of the groundplane under the antenna impacts it, too. So one persons measurements will not equal good results to a different installation.

If you don't have a good meter, then get someone with a -real- meter to test it for you. $10 SWR meters are not going to be very helpful. They might get you pointed in the right direction, but the accuracy will be poor and readings will always be suspect.

 

[kidx]

Ill get a SWR meter from Amazon and use that.

 

[mmckenna]

Ill get a SWR meter from Amazon and use that.

Chose wisely.
Not saying you have to spend a lot, but there are low quality ones out there. A low end one will give you something useable, but it's lack of accuracy may be problematic.

If you plan on staying involved in CB radio for a long time, it might be worth getting a decent one that'll last you many years, maybe even one capable of covering the HF radio band just in case you decide to branch off into amateur radio.

Don't forget, you'll need a short jumper to go between the radio and the meter. A 2 or 3 foot jumper is usually sufficient.

Once you have a decent meter, you'll probably find others than can benefit. Tuning your friends antennas might make it all worthwhile.

 

[kidx]

ok here are a few i was gona choose from.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KIGSNZ0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3V2HJ1FPV37XZ&psc=1

https://www.amazon.ca/METER-Radio-A...UTF8&qid=1473229178&sr=1-3&keywords=swr+meter

https://www.amazon.ca/POWER-SWR-MET...UTF8&qid=1473229178&sr=1-9&keywords=swr+meter

https://www.amazon.ca/POWER-METER-R...=1473229178&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=swr+meter

 

[mmckenna]

ok here are a few i was gona choose from.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KIGSNZ0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3V2HJ1FPV37XZ&psc=1

Specifications for this one show: Freq. Range :140-150Mhz 430-450Mhz.
Not suitable for CB radio.

https://www.amazon.ca/METER-Radio-A...UTF8&qid=1473229178&sr=1-3&keywords=swr+meter

Probably your best bet.

https://www.amazon.ca/POWER-SWR-MET...UTF8&qid=1473229178&sr=1-9&keywords=swr+meter

https://www.amazon.ca/POWER-METER-R...=1473229178&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=swr+meter

These two are probably good, but in reality you don't need the two meters. This might be a nice function if you wanted to leave it connected in line and watch your power output and SWR at the same time, but in reality that serves little purpose in real world operations.
They both have a field strength function, which can be useful in some cases. They also cover more of the HF band, which might be useful if you intend on ever getting your amateur license.

 

[kidx]

Specifications for this one show: Freq. Range :140-150Mhz 430-450Mhz.
Not suitable for CB radio.



Probably your best bet.



These two are probably good, but in reality you don't need the two meters. This might be a nice function if you wanted to leave it connected in line and watch your power output and SWR at the same time, but in reality that serves little purpose in real world operations.
They both have a field strength function, which can be useful in some cases. They also cover more of the HF band, which might be useful if you intend on ever getting your amateur license.

Ill get the workman one then thanks for your feedback that really helps me a lot.

 

[NC1]

The best bang for your buck would be an antenna with the highest gain. An antenna with the highest gain will boost your Effective Radiated Power (ERP). It will also receive much better as well.

That being said, if you purchase TWO antennas with a little less gain, and phase them together, your 4w output could be an effective ERP of 12+ watts!
For CB, you need to get them at least 6 feet apart or your SWR will be all over the place due to them interacting (interfering) with eachother.

 

[kidx]

my antenna is fine i get 2 miles or more. But this guy close to me is bleeding into channel 17 and 19 how can i stop that. Also he is on 18 is there a swr box with something to keep frequencys on there channel if i wanna here him ill go to 18. Just annoying when people dont follow CB rules and bleed all over.

 

[mmckenna]

my antenna is fine i get 2 miles or more. But this guy close to me is bleeding into channel 17 and 19 how can i stop that. Also he is on 18 is there a swr box with something to keep frequencys on there channel if i wanna here him ill go to 18. Just annoying when people dont follow CB rules and bleed all over.

Not really anything you can do.
This guy is either running way too much power and/or his radio has been tweaked by the local golden screwdriver and it's splattering all over the place. Usually an indication of someone who's more concerned with power output than actually having a quality signal.

 

[gewecke]

my antenna is fine i get 2 miles or more. But this guy close to me is bleeding into channel 17 and 19 how can i stop that. Also he is on 18 is there a swr box with something to keep frequencys on there channel if i wanna here him ill go to 18. Just annoying when people dont follow CB rules and bleed all over.

. That's something you'll have to tolerate if you choose to use cbs. However many cbs have a feature called RF Gain which is adjustable. It can be used to attenuate strong signals to a point, including adjacent channel interference. Just a thought. :wink: 73, n9zas

 

[kidx]

I normally stay on channel 38 if too much I go to 40 we have a site and everything we are happy now on channel 38.