HELP

[Cplchaos]

There is a Person on here that I am hoping responds due to the clarity in his / her posts.

I have a 2020 Nissan Titan XD pro 4 X with a panoramic sun/moon roof, I recently installed a CB radio a high power radio. I have hooked up the hot wire to the battery, the ground wire to the chassis where the negative terminal of the battery connects. I have a Sirio Performer 5000 mag mount antenna, with rg58 factory cable. since I have hooked the radio up I can not transmit ( one out going call to Waco TX from NY) modulation meter does not move while transmitting, power meter moves while attempting to transmit, no return calls.

Take the radio out of the truck test it on a bench performs great, just like it was designed to do.

Re install the radio, tune antenna, SWR 1.2 / 1.5 key the mic no modulation, check SWR again 1.9 to 2.5 on 1 and 3 or higher on 40. Put the radio its self on SWR and key the mic, then touch the radio and the meter on the radio moves.

I have the mag mount on top of the cab behind the sun roof, the mag mount is grounded to the bed of the pickup. whip is 61 1/2"

Someone help a devildog out please.

 

[dave3825]

If it works on the bench and not in the truck, go over the power connections and antenna connection with a fine tooth comb. The fact the second time around the swr was higher clearly indicates something specific to the vechile.

 

[niceguy71]

I don't know enough to help. but I'm watching to see what I can learn.

I'm just a little confused that you said the mag mount is grounded to the bed of the pick-up ???? looking at the Siro 5000 performer with mag mount I don't understand how or why you did that??? ...did you put a wire a to the mag mound?... you must have meant pick up cab grounded to the bed?

you said ....Put the radio its self on SWR .... are you using two different swr meters? or just the SWR in the radio?

pictures help.... I'm sure someone will see something off
good luck

Combo: Sirio Performer 5000 PL Mobile Antenna & Sirio Mag 145 Mag Mount | eBay

Sirio Mag Mount for Amateur or CB aerials requiring the SO239 fitting. Very high quality, Sirio is well known for its aerials and accessories. Supplied new and unused with a 12' RG58 coaxial lead fitted with a PL259 plug and weather-cap.

www.ebay.com

 

[Cplchaos]

If it works on the bench and not in the truck, go over the power connections and antenna connection with a fine tooth comb. The fact the second time around the swr was higher clearly indicates something specific to the vechile.

There is a Show / Swap meet this Saturday at the VFW in Palmyra, I plan on going for some insight on this situation. I am new to all of this stuff other than using the equipment. If you are available stop by I could use some extra input. Saturday 0600 to noon.

 

[Cplchaos]

I don't know enough to help. but I'm watching to see what I can learn.

I'm just a little confused that you said the mag mount is grounded to the bed of the pick-up ???? looking at the Siro 5000 performer with mag mount I don't understand how or why you did that??? ...did you put a wire a to the mag mound?... you must have meant pick up cab grounded to the bed?

you said ....Put the radio its self on SWR .... are you using two different swr meters? or just the SWR in the radio?

pictures help.... I'm sure someone will see something off
good luck

Combo: Sirio Performer 5000 PL Mobile Antenna & Sirio Mag 145 Mag Mount | eBay

Sirio Mag Mount for Amateur or CB aerials requiring the SO239 fitting. Very high quality, Sirio is well known for its aerials and accessories. Supplied new and unused with a 12' RG58 coaxial lead fitted with a PL259 plug and weather-cap.

www.ebay.com

I was told that one issue might me not having enough Ground plane due to the large glass window in the roof of the truck. I attached the upper portion of the sirio to a larger metal Mag mount (which is aluminum) and grounded that to my Truck. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[Cplchaos]

In reference to my HELP thread,

I will be at a show this weekend trying to find help with my previously posted message. if there is anyone in the Finger Lakes area that might want to stop by and give some advice, see if they can solve the issue, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dave3825]

If you are available stop by I could use some extra input. Saturday 0600 to noon.

Appreciate the invite but I am a good 6 hours away.

I was told that one issue might me not having enough Ground plane due to the large glass window in the roof of the truck.

What happens if you stick the antenna somewhere other than the roof? Like top of front fender?

I attached the upper portion of the sirio to a larger metal Mag mount (which is aluminum) and grounded that to my Truck.

Larger metal mag mount (which is aluminum)? Aluminum is non ferrous and will not bond to a magnet. Do you have a pic explaining it better?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

There is a Person on here that I am hoping responds due to the clarity in his / her posts.

You know you can always tag them in a post (enter @ symbol then their username as in @Whiskey3JMC, it'll show up as an alert notification for that user that they were tagged) or message them directly if you're looking for one particular user's input...

 

[slowmover]

Radio is fine, but not when connected to antenna itself mounted on the vehicle?

If coax gets pinched hard - once - it may not ever again work well.

If coax is loose at its antenna connection, the system will not work well.

Coax is where I’d be looking.

Excellent antenna choice (gave one to my son; run a pair on my big truck), there are videos and more info linked in other threads.

Do a run-through of all functions. CB isn’t plug n’ play. There are procedures and some tools that need employment.

See if you can’t eliminate some stuff and that’ll help those wanting to help you. Sounded to me like a good start:

CB Radio Problems

CB antennas, coax cables, mounts or grounding issues are usually to blame for performance and SWR issues. However, occasionally CB radios are to blame for installation problems.

www.rightchannelradios.com

CB Radio Trouble Shooting Guide

A general guide for trouble shooting common CB Radio problems. Includes cross-reference chart.

www.wearecb.com

4 Ways to Tell if Your CB Radio Has Gone Bad

Having trouble getting your CB radio to work? Learn how to troubleshoot common issues with radio performance.

strykerradios.com

Tech-Docs Index

More advanced for as you go along. My devil dog son went from CB jockey to first steps with Amateur licensing. The problem-solving gets addictive:

Mobile Installation Bible

.

 

[merlin]

I was told that one issue might me not having enough Ground plane due to the large glass window in the roof of the truck. I attached the upper portion of the sirio to a larger metal Mag mount (which is aluminum) and grounded that to my Truck. Hopefully that makes sense.

From an RF point, the whole vehicle is the groundplane. Going from a GMC pickup to a Nissan Z with sun roof made no difference at all.
That was with Wilson 1000M mag mount. Less than 1.5:1 on both vehicles.

 

[merlin]

What happens if you stick the antenna somewhere other than the roof? Like top of front fender?

It will change the directional charactaristics, like the main lobe going to the rear and oposite of the fender. SWR should not change much, if any.

 

[slowmover]

When I get passed by the latter while thundering down the road in the former and we both key up, you can bet EVERYONE wants to know about the antenna once they’re corrected, that, it ain’t the radio.

Power is overrated. Clarity is King.

1989 = A Ranger and a Wilson.

2024 = A President George 2 + a SIRIO.

.

 

[merlin]

Amost sounds to me like a common mode problem. RF wiping out the mic

then touch the radio and the meter on the radio moves

Use the shortest path to ground from the radio grounding the radio itself including the negative power.
Check your PL-259 connectors and coax for open circuits.

 

[Cplchaos]

You know you can always tag them in a post (enter @ symbol then their username as in @Whiskey3JMC, it'll show up as an alert notification for that user that they were tagged) or message them directly if you're looking for one particular user's input...

Thanks I am still learning this site, this is only like my 3rd day on here. Thank you for the help, it is refreshing to find a place to go ask questions and technical advice; and not having people be snarky. Don't get me wrong I love sarcasm but in this situation when someone is trying to learn its is not necessary. Thank you again, I am sure I will have many more questions in the future.

 

[Cplchaos]

Radio is fine, but not when connected to antenna itself mounted on the vehicle?

If coax gets pinched hard - once - it may not ever again work well.

If coax is loose at its antenna connection, the system will not work well.

Coax is where I’d be looking.

Excellent antenna choice (gave one to my son; run a pair on my big truck), there are videos and more info linked in other threads.

Do a run-through of all functions. CB isn’t plug n’ play. There are procedures and some tools that need employment.

See if you can’t eliminate some stuff and that’ll help those wanting to help you. Sounded to me like a good start:

CB Radio Problems

CB antennas, coax cables, mounts or grounding issues are usually to blame for performance and SWR issues. However, occasionally CB radios are to blame for installation problems.

www.rightchannelradios.com

CB Radio Trouble Shooting Guide

A general guide for trouble shooting common CB Radio problems. Includes cross-reference chart.

www.wearecb.com

4 Ways to Tell if Your CB Radio Has Gone Bad

Having trouble getting your CB radio to work? Learn how to troubleshoot common issues with radio performance.

strykerradios.com

Tech-Docs Index

More advanced for as you go along. My devil dog son went from CB jockey to first steps with Amateur licensing. The problem-solving gets addictive:

Mobile Installation Bible

.

Thank you fellas

 

[JustinWHT]

a large glass window in the roof of the truck.

The FNG at a radio shop drilled an antenna hole right behind a sliding glass noon roof.