Cobra 75WXST CB questions post install

When you dial the squelch buttom, do you hear the static? If not your brand new hand set may be defective. Mine went out for no reason and had to send it in.

How far are you from I-15?

I'm running a Cobra 75WXST but with a 4-1/2' antenna on my front bumper. I live 8 miles from a divided highway and 20 miles from anything like an Interstate, and I don't hear much on ch. 19 until I get a lot closer to either one. Use the scan function on the radio to find any local traffic on other channels.

My squelch works just as it is supposed to and I live about 2 miles form I -15 but I was on a rontage road for about 15 minutes listenign and using the scan. I am using a 4 foot firestick mounted to a Bandi Mount.

I have same setup but with a 2-foot antenna. I am about 5 miles from an Interstate and can only occasionally hear a weak signal. Go for a drive near a major road/highway. Weekends have less truckers too. Be sure to set the SWR properly.

SKIBUMM said:

I was on a rontage road for about 15 minutes listenign and using the scan.

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Not a radio expert by any means, but that doesn't sound good to me - you should hear something right next to the interstate. Double check your coax connections and make sure the antenna is well grounded.

Next time you are near the main road key up the mic and ask for a "mic check". Someone should be able to talk back and tell you that you sounded good or bad. If they say you sounded good, say, "Thanks, whats your 20?" When they tell you where they are you can gauge how good your radio sounds at that distance. The only true test of this is to get a friend who has a CB to stay in one place while you drive away from them occasionally talking to them to determine the max range in that area.

SKIBUMM said:

I Just finished my intall of the BigBill Combo and am very pleased, but I do have a question. Everything checked out fine and I can hear the weather perfectly but I hear nothing on the CB side of things. Could it just be that the truckers are not using at as frequently and that is causing the no chat or is there somthing that could be wrong?

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Weather channels are on vhf frequencies, so they will work independently of the CB (they usually even receive w/o an antenna...). Did you adjust your SWR for the best match possible ? Even with the same mount and antenna the starting SWR can vary widely, and may be too high for any reasonable reception. Also, check to make sure you scraped away the paint on the Bandi mount where the antenna stud mounts, and also where the Bandi mount attaches to the hinge (need to scrape paint off the hinge itself). If the antenna doesn't ground well, the CB side won't receive or transmit properly.

I was having a similar problem and I gave up trying to figure it out. A visit to the local CB shop and 15 bucks to diagnose the problem is all it took. Turns out I had a shorted coax. The guy tuned it to the new coax I bought and poof I get a couple of miles out of it.

X2 on larrys suggestion, also would help to have a buddy with a radio to check. if nobody in your area call your local cb/ radio shop and see if you can stop by for a test and check. SWR is a big deal. Bad signal will fry your set in time.

Thanks I will head to a local CB shop and have them look at it.
Thanks
Guys