New and need HELP

[Huntsman78]

Ok, So I am new to C.B. and inherited some equipment. I have a Cobra 2000 GTL, a Cobra 142 GTL a Royce 1-621 (all base stations) a Vanco SWR meter, a Cobra desk mic, a Galaxy echo mic, a Opeck CX-3 antenna switch box and two Midland noise canceling extention speakers and a Falcon dipole antenna. Also, 10'' mic extention cords for each base station with adapters soI can use 4 prong to 5 prong or vice versa depending on what mic I want to use for which radio. (the Cobra mic has five prongs and the Galaxy has four prongs. I have RG-58 cables with PL-259 connectors for all. All I am trying to do is listen a talk localy. I have the dipole because I cannot set up a tower or mount a roof antenna. I have everything hooked up properly and power source is good as well. I have checked the SWR and I am getting a good reading on all three units. I can receive but not transmit whatsoever. Even when I try different mics. I changed the batteries in both and when I try to transmit the channel goes quiet like I should. But its as if other CBer's cannot hear me. and I don't think that they are ignoring me either. Ha! So I have a few questions that hopefully someone can help with.
1. is the Newer Galaxy echo mic not compatable with vintage base stations?
2. is the dipole not powerful enough to run into the antenna switch box?
3. Do adapters not work well when trying to use a 5 prong mic into a four prong adapter and vice versa?

I have read all the manuals on the base stations to operate them properly and I am using the antenna switch properly as well. There is alot more to this then I expected and read a few books on my kindle to get aquainted. I'm not a veteran by any means but I think I have a good grasp on setting up and the basics. Just wanting to learn by doing. I wonder to if I need to take the radios in someplace to have them seviced, but they are all clean and act as if there is no issue. And the dipole picks up alot activity.

Open to any suggestions and help. Thanks!!!

 

[capten]

re CB help

I would suggest that the dipole is your problem. Most CB users (not all) use a vertical antenna and you need to use a vertical antenna if you want to talk to the local CB users. Vertical antennas radiate vertically polarized radiation, while the dipole radiates horizontally polarized radiation. If you both ( sender and reciever) use the same polarization everything is good, but if not, then you can loose up to 20 db signal strength as a result.
Also, unless you have the dipole raised up 30-40 ft or so, it sends most of its signal straight up. So, you are able to hear well, but very little of your signal is going out toward the horizon and will not be heard unless you are using high power (think amplifier)

Best bet is to choose your best rig and connect it to a vertical antenna ( borrow one - even a mobil mag mount) and try to transmitt to a friend. Dont use the antenna switch at this point, since you are trying to trouble shoot your system one piece at a time.

 

[Huntsman78]

Thanks!!!

Thanks for the reply and advice. I have a Firestick indoor antenna. Sould this do the trick? Also, I have my rig on the second floor of my house and the house sits on a hill. This should help with not being able to mount an antena on the house or a tower?

 

[W8RMH]

I experimented with this back in the 70's. CB is 27 megahertz, and AM, and these signals don't penetrate well. Usually indoor antennas of any type perform poorly. You have some fine equipment, but CB is all about antenna.

 

[KC4RAF]

W8RMH gave you the best answer.

The antenna is THE most important part of your radio station. Sure, one needs a transmitter/transceiver, coax, micphone, etc., but it is that lowly piece of metal you have up in the air that makes or breaks communication. An old adage is: Buy the transceiver for 50 bucks, but spend 100 dollars for the antenna and coax.
And you do have a couple of great transceivers, the Cobras. I have the 2000GTL and the 148GTL. With the right antenna, you'll be able to reach out and touch people.

 

[Huntsman78]

Outdoor Antenna Idea What do You Guys Think?

Thanks for the info everyone. Very helpful. I think I am just going to go with the outside antenna rig and try to get the ok from my neighbor's. I have a old Direct TV dish that is not in use or has been since we moved in. I was thinking of taking the dish off and using the mount as the base of the antenna. Then building a mast to fit it and mount a antenna on top of it. I think it would work an it is well away from any power lines. then run the coax across the front of the second story of the house into the window of the spare room I have set up as my office/shack where my radios are. I would make the mast an L shape so that the antenna sticks out and above the gutter on the second floor. Does this sound like a good plan? Again any help would be great and thanks for helping a newbie out!!!

 

[Rt169Radio]

Thanks for the info everyone. Very helpful. I think I am just going to go with the outside antenna rig and try to get the ok from my neighbor's. I have a old Direct TV dish that is not in use or has been since we moved in. I was thinking of taking the dish off and using the mount as the base of the antenna. Then building a mast to fit it and mount a antenna on top of it. I think it would work an it is well away from any power lines. then run the coax across the front of the second story of the house into the window of the spare room I have set up as my office/shack where my radios are. I would make the mast an L shape so that the antenna sticks out and above the gutter on the second floor. Does this sound like a good plan? Again any help would be great and thanks for helping a newbie out!!!

Maybe you could post a picture or two to show the mount and where you would put it?

 

[kb2vxa]

1. is the Newer Galaxy echo mic not compatable with vintage base stations?

An echo does nothing for communications effectiveness, all it does is muddy up the audio and make it harder for them to understand you. Toss it in the trash.

2. is the dipole not powerful enough to run into the antenna switch box?

Under the circumstances a dipole will do only it has to be vertical, horizontal is cross polarized resulting in several dBs loss of signal AND bidirectional with nulls off the ends where you have no signal. Another thing, the coax must be run at a right angle to the antenna (horizontally) for at least a half wavelength (18 feet) to avoid certain technical problems.

3. Do adapters not work well when trying to use a 5 prong mic into a four prong adapter and vice versa?

I've had no problems using adapters, I've made quite a few and some rather unusual Frankenstein monsters, it's all good.