How do you peak and tune a C.B.? I have a radio in my truck, a Uniden, with a Palomar 225. I know it gets out, but I know it can do better. I don't have a C.B. Shop around in my area, and want to do it myself. Any ideas on where to start?
2007-02-09 12:52:35 · 7 answers · asked by richard r 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Depending upon the drive needed for the Palomar it may be not enough or too much. As some amps need much wattage to drive at full power.. But if you overdrive it, it can kill it
As the others said, make sure the coax is good, better to run the fat RG-8 than the small coax, make sure you are running the right size power cables going to the radio and amp (about the same size as what the factory used.. any smaller can starve the radio of power)
Make sure the antenna is real well grounded and is in the center of the truck unless their is a reason it must be placed somewhere's else (as placing it off to the side, it will cause a directional signal... get out in one direction, not in another)
Buy a SWR meter that can handle the power (Radio shack I don't know if they sell one in the stores anymore as they are out of the radio business pretty much..go figure) but look for one that can take say 500 watts continuous or better and make sure SWR is low (below 1.5:1 with 1.2:1 usually ideal unless you are a contender on the superbowl (CB Channel 6 power contest channel)
For more info try http://www.radiomods.co.nz/ and buy books from http://copper.com/
2007-02-09 16:12:17 · answer #1 · answered by gearbox 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless you know how a transceiver circuit works then you will totally screw it up by adjusting the coils in the circuits. In order to peak a CB (newer CB's can not be peaked as they have permanently fixed tuning coils) you will need a tone generator, an oscilloscope, a 50 ohm dummy load antenna, and the schematics diagram for the radio. Locate the zenier diode that limits the voltage to the final output driver transistor and cut it on either end. Using the tone generator, inject a 1khz tone into the microphone and wrap a rubber band around the mic button to hold it down while you are tuning the TX coils. Connect your oscilloscope to the antenna and adjust the voltage level on the scope so that you can view the sine wave from the tone generator as it is output through the transmitter. Making only small adjustments at a time, tweak the TX coils until the sine wave is at the highest voltage level you can get without clipping the signal. You now have a peaked CB transmitter. If you don't understand any of this then you will have a screwed up CB that will be extremely difficult if not impossible for even a professional technician to get back in tune. I would suggest taking it to a CB technician to have it done. There's usually one near any truck stop inside a big city.
2016-05-24 19:11:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cb Radio Peak And Tune
2016-10-31 22:16:33 · answer #3 · answered by ashworth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are running a kicker then your radio should be turned down to only 1 watt, a radio with a hi/med/low switch is best because if you want to run kicker you can set on low or hi if not. -----I didnt read anywhere on your question asking about SWR's. That has nothing to do with peaking and tuning. Try searching for keywords: mods, c.b. radio, uniden, tips, that should open some helpful websites.
2007-02-09 12:59:46 · answer #4 · answered by kimmi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Assuming that the radio is in good condition, the main thing that you need to tune is the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) between the transmitter and the antenna. Optimum performance is achieved with a 1:1 ratio between them.
Radio Shack and many electronics stores sell SWR meters, (you may even be able to rent one.) Instructions for optimizing your performance by adjusting antenna length etc. will be found with the meter.
2007-02-09 12:59:07 · answer #5 · answered by Gordon B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Radio Shack and purchase a SWR (Standing Wavelength Reflection) meter, and follow the instructions.
Best performance is found at < 1.3:1.
Happy Motoring Good Buddy
2007-02-09 12:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there are 2 coils in the radio that have to be turned to get more wattage but unless you have a watt meter you can't do it and if you go to far it messes up your modulation, find a radio shop to do it for you, I'm sure there are some big truck stops near you that repair cb's for the truckers.
2007-02-09 13:05:03 · answer #7 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋