Cobra 75 CB

[1Placerville]

I'm pulling my hair out and could use some advice...besides throw the thing in the trash. Installed the Cobra 75WXST, did the SWR test before using. 1 1/2 on Ch 1 and barely moves on 40. Ch 20 a little more than Ch 40. Firestik 5' antenna on the back of a JL Rubi. Did all the tuning to try and get 1 down and 40 up just a little. Problem is I can hear chatter but nobody hears me. Modulation shows all the way to the right when I key the mic. Then I ran a ground wire to the bottom side of the antenna mount but above the round coax cable (forgot what you call that end). SWR went to 3 1/2 on both 1 and 40 and could not tune it down. Have another Firestik which is 6 ft and tried that. Took the ground off and the SWR was in the 3's + and couldn't tune that down either. Put the 5' back on and back down to what I said above....Ok...I'm open for any advice...and be kind, I'm 68 and just retired and this is my 3rd Jeep.....

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[Bryce]

Make sure that the and cable where it mounts to the radio is making a good connection on the outer shielding part of the cable. Even when I tightened mine down the cable had play in the outer knurled nut part. I put a 1/8th inch thick rubber washer around the center pin and it took up the slack and my SWR was great and able to tune the antenna.

 

[DWheelerR]

I'd also check the washer setup on the antenna. I once stacked them in the wrong order and caused this.

 

[Oletimer]

If none of the above works take it to a good CB shop around a truck stop. They will check modulation and tune it pretty cheap. I've had to replace brand new cheap China coax before.
Or if someone you know has a magnetic mount antenna you can borrow. Put it in middle of hood just to see how it works. It will tell you wether it's radio or coax/ antenna.

 

[Coddiwomple]

I'm pulling my hair out and could use some advice...besides throw the thing in the trash. Installed the Cobra 75WXST, did the SWR test before using. 1 1/2 on Ch 1 and barely moves on 40. Ch 20 a little more than Ch 40. Firestik 5' antenna on the back of a JL Rubi. Did all the tuning to try and get 1 down and 40 up just a little. Problem is I can hear chatter but nobody hears me. Modulation shows all the way to the right when I key the mic. Then I ran a ground wire to the bottom side of the antenna mount but above the round coax cable (forgot what you call that end). SWR went to 3 1/2 on both 1 and 40 and could not tune it down. Have another Firestik which is 6 ft and tried that. Took the ground off and the SWR was in the 3's + and couldn't tune that down either. Put the 5' back on and back down to what I said above....Ok...I'm open for any advice...and be kind, I'm 68 and just retired and this is my 3rd Jeep.....

Hey, did you ever sort this out? I just ordered mine and curious about the little problems people are having. Also someone on here mentioned the order of the washer etc. for the antenna. Are these clear in the instructions?

 

[C3medic]

Yea..it was the end of the cable where it plugged into the box. The crimped connector was grounding out because the area where the cable goes in wasn't trimmed correctly allowing the copper wiring to be exposed. Hard to explain but that's what it was.

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