My audio isnt clear/ static

[Heavychevrolet]

I cant quite hear people clearly, or there talking is soft. And static prob from truck or something constantly but when i trun the sq i cant hear them or static. I have a old dx33hml galaxy radio, with a astatic swr and power meter PDC2, with a bed hole mount, 3 foot fire stick and both channel 1 and 40 is 1.7 swr when I adjusted the antenna. Current ground wire is 12 awg, I'm trying to set up a second ground with 8awg there 10ft long to frame. I think my internal speaker is busted so I'm currently using earbuds, I'm getting an external speaker off amazon. The ground wires is hold onto by a bolt and lock nut, i coulndt get a screw going, but i tighten it really gooood hahahaha. I'm currently running power from cig and later on going to tap into fuse box or the battery, I don't know which is better. I have rf gain all the way, low rf power, high band, band e/D, e tone both dials to the middle, NB/ANL ia better on, i move the sq around until it's enough to hear, trying to run cb freq. I put put about 2 watts. I have a 2002 2500hd silverado lt crewcab 6.0l 4wd. I put gear oil on the ground terminal ring so it doesn't rust the frame that I sanded. Running rg8x coaxle. I opened the radio since internal swr meter was falling inside it and have pictures of inside. Running out tomorrow for a bigger ring terminal for 8awg. So I just rigging this thing, cause i have no clue what im doing, only knowledge from internet or people from stores i went too, awful at being electrician. Thanks yall!!

 

[slowmover]

Antenna is the key decision. Mount-type, Mount location, and antenna design plus it’s total length.

— That location can work but there are better.

An antenna mount needs to be able to bond to the bare metal beneath it. It’s not a 12V type of ground, RF is a different critter.

— A taller antenna will be better (5’ or longer).

The diagram on left is how you’ve stacked things, right? Plastic washer on top, only.



Ground to frame via ordinary wire doesn’t do much. (Need a type of RF Bond ; use that as search term as it’s covered around here).

This is the reference many of us use. (After we get serious):

Amateur Mobile Radio Install Bible

Yes, you need to run Power, fused, from vehicle battery Positive. Negative, unfused, to closest (tested) DC ground (see U-Tube vids on that test).

Glad you’re getting a speaker. Significant improvement. Here’s where I’ve mounted one under drivers seat:



Pic not very good, but that 33 looks pretty old. As you’ve indicated it may have problems, be sure of these first:

Quiet Power

Good Coax Routing (zero pinch; “once”can ruin it).

Antenna not cracked (wiggle it around while listening)

Bare metal under antenna mount (or consider a different mount).

Mic cord not broken.

Be patient.

Some problems are easy, and some are frustrating.

SWR 1.7 is a good sign given what you’ve shown us so far.

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[Heavychevrolet]

Yes I have pl259 to a k-4A stud, I'll look into the rf strap. Thanks!