Very helpful!! I had to watch it a few times and read the directions for my meter of course and my Midland 1001LWX is up and running and ready to go. Thank you for keeping it simple and easy to understand for all of us who had no idea how to do this!

New trucker here on a cobra 29 ltx chrome and this was a big help... Been stumped as to how to tune this and alot of other guides flat out confused me... Appreciate the help bud!

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Right on! Glad it helped!

@troublemaker2121

3 жыл бұрын

Hey new guy if you ever need a mic get a ranger,they are the best

Right to it! Awesome! just talks about what to do awesome! No stupid music! Awesome! no nonsense talking ! Awesome!!!

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eddie! I can't handle videos like that either! Get to it! Haha Thanks again!

Just for future reference, whenever you bottomed out the antenna and couldn't lower it any more than you did because the whip section is too long, keep in mind at that point You can always cut a quarter inch at a time off the whip to get the swrs even closer to tune. Great video by the way!!

Thanks for posting. Easy to understand.

I'm struggling with my K40, you made my day

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic!! Hope you enjoy!!

yes you can cut a small pic of the bottom of the antenna , pull it out of the coil and shorting it just a little at a time, until the SWR is the same on channel 1 and 40 AND keep adjusting it just like you are doing and every thing will be OK.

Good job, I've got a Cobra 29 LTD classic and it has the built-in meter so I'll be using that it also has the you know everything built in the RF gain and all that so I'm trying to figure out how to calibrate it and your video has been helpful thank you

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic to hear Jason! Feel free to share your set up! I'd love to see it!

@LivingFree365

4 жыл бұрын

Nice version. I'm looking at picking one up myself. They are easy to calibrate with all the tools built-in.

@eugeneyoung5582

3 жыл бұрын

Do not trust a built-in meter. Never seen one that reads right yet. They will get you close tho.

Tks for not having the 2-minute intro with annoying music.

thanks for this video easier to understand now didnt have a clue

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

It has been advised that when any tuning is to be done to CB radios on a vehicle, the surrounding area must be Free from buildings, power lines, Trees etc. Several techs have said that. 10-4.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Roger that! Next tune will be out of the city! Thanks Joe!

@militarysniper6625

4 жыл бұрын

there is no point in typing 10-4, it is shorter to type ok. 10-4 is used because ok is such a short word the receiver of the transmission might not be able to make out what you are saying. by saying 10-4 they could distinguish that better.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

10-4.

@existentiald562

3 жыл бұрын

@@militarysniper6625 10-4

@johndbaker420

3 жыл бұрын

@@militarysniper6625 10=4

I'll be using this excellent video later today. Thank you!

I guess I'm confused. The second reading on channel 40 was higher than the first reading on channel 1 throughout the entire video. All I saw was that you moved them both lower. What am I missing?

Great video!

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Cameron!

I’m trying to do this for my RoadKing CB and non-ground FireStick antenna, however I can’t make the SWR to go below 5. It’s in the red zone on all channels. What’s wrong???

Good video thanks.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Make sure you're in the vehicle with the doors closed and in an open area like a field or parking lot away from trees, houses, telephone poles, light poles etc while checking the swr meter. If you're too close to surrounding objects, it can throw your swr reading off. This will help you get a better reading on the swr meter.

So would cutting the antenna bring the two channel references closer together then? Is that how to get them both down to around 1ish?

@garyg4139

5 жыл бұрын

Most antenna manufacturers will say to cut 1/8" off the bottom end if necessary.

I have a semi truck with 2 Antennas one above each door. They are those plastic/nylon style and each antenna is 30 inches long. I am currently slightly higher on channel 40. Would I have to lower both antennas slightly and recheck my SWR or just one antenna individually?

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

I have done so much research on dual antenna setups and from what I've found is that they're simply too close together to work well. I've also been told by a professional installer (of 40 years) that the second one is often just for anesthetics and not actually connected. A lot of heresay about this topic.

Get video thanks for sharing your experience.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Next one might be on a 8ft whip!

@codycastro8083

4 жыл бұрын

I subscribed waiting for the next one

Thank you!

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure

Like the vintage swr meter . Jim's cb shop

Would lowering where the antenna is mounted have the same effect as shortening the antenna?

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately not. Lowering the antenna would likely reduce the range by lessening its angle of reception. Shortening the length changes the tune.

u can pull it out and cut some off the end to allow u to keep shorting it

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

I've never tried it, but great idea!

@brianzaborowski2724

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, once you have identical swr readings on both channel 1 and 40 .... that is the best you can do for the lowest swr across the band. Cut a very small amount from the whip and you SHOULD re-tighten the set screw everytime you recheck the reading.

what about base station antennas

Do you have to keep the SWR meter hooked up all the time or can you remove it after tuning?

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

It's only to tune. You CAN leave it in-line, but really, more connections leave more room for lesser stability in your signal

You could cut the whip a little to get the lowest swr reading, also run a ground wire to your antenna bracket for optimal ground.

@26DR715

3 жыл бұрын

Dont need a ground wire when it on the car roof, the whole car acts as ground.

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

@@26DR715 The antenna appears to be mounted on a roof rack/basket and it is either painted or powder coated. Both can/will prevent the antenna from having a good ground!

Does it matter where the RF gain knob and the squelch knob are set while doing this?

@LivingFree365

4 жыл бұрын

It shouldn't due to you are not trying to send out any messages. During Calibration your just adjusting the frequency output and input of the antenna. Hope it helps.

What if I am using a fiberglass antenna, do I need to adjust or how do I adjust it?

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

With fiberglass units like the firestik there is an adjustment under the tip. Other models I've seen guys just cut them with a handsaw.

When I’m on 40 and I key the mic on FWD it is at (REF POWER) 7 and not quite at set, when I adjust it and switch to REF my SWR jumps to 3.3 but my antenna doesn’t go any lower. Please help

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

You may have to physically snip your antenna, but make sure your connections are solid, clean and your grounds are intact! 👌 Also, where did you come across this video? It seems like a lot of people are watching it this week!

@LivingFree365

4 жыл бұрын

did you get it figured out? One thing you might want to check it that there are no buildings near. They can reflect your Reflection Power.

Here’s what causing my confusion: is there a specific value your SWR meter should be set at on the low end? Or is the objective simply to match values across the board? Also, is there a value that’s considered too low??

@eugeneyoung5582

3 жыл бұрын

You want it below 2. The lower you get it better your CB will preform better. Anything below 1.5 is good and no more adjustment needed. Forgot if by any chance you get below one you have different problems which is bad. It not likely you get below 1.

Hey man. I tried this and I get swr 9 for channel 1 and 40 . Any suggestions ?

@mikehowell8983

3 жыл бұрын

is your antenna grounded?

Great video! What type of antenna, antenna base is that? I have a similar one, but no base. Don't know what to shop for...what's it called?

@azbi6601

3 жыл бұрын

Appears to be either a Metra WM-CB70 or a SCOSCHE CB201 without the base - the base attached to the rail appears to be a TWD 21521020 from Napa auto. All relatively innexpensive and easy to install.

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

It's a Walmart Special $19.99 antenna. Used to be sold by KRACO CB and many other manufactures for around $9.99, either as a mag mount or a gutter mount, and they are totally useless, this one especially as he had to use WD-40 and pliers to get the whip to move! It is most likely corroded inside the coil too! Time for a new antenna!

Iv never had to do anymore than , move coax cable around an in a strait path no coiled or bunched up line to get right match 1.1 to 1.7 is best.

Super underrated video. Helped me a lot! Thanks!!

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Reed!

My antenna doesn’t have any adjustment to it. It’s a 10’ whip. When I turn on my cb I only pick up static. I’m curious as to what to do

@dvate

4 жыл бұрын

Mostly it’s the placement of the coax with the 102 inch antenna

@davidwhiten2213

4 жыл бұрын

Adjust the squelch.

Some times those springs give bad grounds as they wear, maybe run a ground to the mount, it may help.

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

The spring is on the hot side (radiator) of the antenna not the ground side!

They call me 440. I need someone to teach me about this stuff..I know just a little

Doesn't the Cobra 29 have the ability to calibrate without a separate SWR meter?

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

The newer cobras do. Not this one.

If I switch my mag mount to another vehicle will I have to retune?

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

Nice video. Thank you

I just got a new CB today for my van and I watched your video it was great thanks for all the info

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic! Good luck on the tune!

I got a classic 29ltd i click the mic and i can hear my self on the cb but can hearr no one??? Please help

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

Most likely the mic is wired wrong.

What about the length of your coax didn't it have something to do with it do you have certainly the coax

@JerryArbs

Жыл бұрын

Increments of 3 feet.

What keeps the antaenna from moving that 1mm when you tight the screw back down

@WildBill710

3 жыл бұрын

Leave just enough tension to move it

U can trim the stinger just a little bit if it's high on channel 40 as well

Great video man. Short and simple.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Terry!

Thanks.

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Matt!

What does setting your SWR do. How does it help

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Setting the SWR ensures that the impedances of the feedline and the antenna match perfectly, so that all available power is being radiated from it. When we talk performance of a CB radio, it's all dependant on your quality and tune of your antenna.

Channel one and channel 40 should be as close as possible, if possible the same

your spring is lengthening your antenna you an try it without the spring or cut the bace of the top whip a little with the spring on, there is no going back once you cut an antenna so just cut a little at a time

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

The spring on those antennas are not made be removed as the spring is holding the antenna to the mount (the bolt from below the mount threads into the base of the spring through an insulator and the antenna mast threads into the top of the spring. You would have to have a coupler made (1/4-20) to replace the spring and then you would be changing the resonant frequency so far out that you would never be able to tune it! Standard antenna couplers are 1/4-20, 1/4-28 or 3/8-24.

That's great, but I'm struggling to get my readings out of the red.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Remember your ground is very important. Also, don't bend your excess cable. Coil it in an organized set of loops and not just randomized all over your vehicle! Good luck!

@BarefootBeekeeper

4 жыл бұрын

BTW "ref" means "reflected", as in "reflected energy"

@eugeneyoung5582

3 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs just to add make figure 8s in 1 ft length and tie in middle.

take the top wire out and cut 1mm off to get the swr even lower

Do you have to leave the swr meter hooked up?

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

Nope! Just for the testing 👌

What if the swr reading is the same above 3 in channel 1 and 40

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Leave it right where it is. 👌 just keep anything that could interfere with it out of the way and you should have a great signal!

@garystewart5231

3 жыл бұрын

The swr should be exactly the same on 1 and 40 and should be below 2:1 anything higher will feed power back into the radio and burn the finals out of your radio. Don’t key up above 2:1

Thanks

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

awesome

@JerryArbs

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Adolph! 🤙

Why does the length of the antenna effect it?

@Long-nd8bq

3 жыл бұрын

Because the length of the antenna must be sufficient for the wavelength of the signal. blog.techwholesale.com/2015/09/25/does-size-still-matter-exploring-antenna-size/

Does the squelch have to be all the way to the left before tuning.

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

I would leave it wide open, yes.

@jfrphoto01

Жыл бұрын

Doesn't matter

I’m in a company truck and have a cobra 29lx and I try to talk and everyone says I break up bad. Also most of the incoming chatter is fuzzy.

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

If you aren't able to mess around with anything, follow the lines to make sure the antenna ground is solid, that there aren't any chafed areas of the coaxial and that the rest of the wiring is connected well. Beyond that, an SWR is where you'll get a great baseline of what you need to do 👌

@Tex_Fishing

3 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs thank you sir

@Tex_Fishing

3 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs I may refer to you when I mess with it. I ordered a swr meter separate from the built in one. And I’ll have it Thursday and test it Friday. I have no idea what to look for. So yea

Good demo, I have not had a CB radio for awhile, I am getting back into the hobby. If I remember correctly, my radio had an swr meter, this seems like a better setup.

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm now running a 980SSB with a built in SWR as well but haven't needed to tune it yet! Curious to give it a try if I swap antennas!

@chriscosby2459

2 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs I used a CB radio from about 1978 to 1985, I don't remember ever having to adjust the swr, I used a simple magnetic base antenna. I am hoping a CB radio will help me avoid backed up traffic. I drive about 80 miles a day round trip to work.

Nice video instruction. Love the amazon comment. LOL. Thumbs up from here.

Where do u get the meters

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Found mine locally. Amazon has them too

1st off, REF is Reflected PWR. 2nd you said Chnl 40 (1.7) higher that Chnl 1 (1.4) therefore antenna is too long. Then you commence to make it longer. While the statement too long may be correct, your extending the antenna was wrong. I emphasis may be correct? No help here.

@JerryArbs

Жыл бұрын

Gosh, I did a lot wrong for a guy with a working CB and over 100k people appreciating my video. You should make a video....obviously. xo

Great job. Thank you.

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! Hope it helped!

If you spend more time near channel 40 tune to that. It will be ok at channel 1. The lower frequency will transmit better anyway. If you are 1:1 at ch40 and 1:1.5 at ch1 you are safe and will perform very well.

I was told as long as it is below a 2.0 than it was good !

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Thats true! How did you come across my video? Seems to be getting viewerships suddenly!

@baldy194859

4 жыл бұрын

i was just cruising the internet and I came upon your cb antenna adjustment ! great job, keep up the good work because I believe more and more people will be getting back on the air !

Always be sure to use a set if dykes to adjust your hex head screws…x)

Why do you have the CB in the backseat?

@JerryArbs

5 жыл бұрын

Haven't created a proper mount up front that won't look gaudy. Works fine back there anyways with the mic up front 👌

Thanks you made that simple stupid my radio works great now.

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic news! But don't call me stupid. lol

Read the instructions that come with your SWR meter, it states that you have to unkey when switching from fwd to ref to avoid damage to the radios finals!

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

Good tip. About 2 years too late. 🤣

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs Yeah, just noticed the posting date. But, maybe it will help someone else.

how do you tune a solid whip, around 8.5 feet?

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

If it's solid, it was likely tuned from factory but you can either check the tip for a screw, add length with a spring or washers, or cut the tip if it's too long.

@JasonEdwardsPhotography

3 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs thank you Budd y or your very swift reply and help.

What if you don't have a tuner?!

@JerryArbs

Жыл бұрын

Then you don't tune it, and risk burning out your internals. 🤷‍♂️

Okay, I am four years late. Still I have a suggestion, please go in to the video turn on CC. This will help those with hearing difficulties. It is a bit difficult hearing and understanding you. Thank you.

@JerryArbs

9 ай бұрын

Hey @ricdonato4328, my CB doesn't have a CC button. You'll have to adjust the squelch knob at best, and crank the volume like my grandma did for the Price is Right.

@ricdonato4328

9 ай бұрын

@@JerryArbs Hello, thank you for your courteous prompt reply. Oops I was referring to this video. At the bottom of all KZread videos is the CC option. Move your mouse over it, it reads subtitles/closed caption unavailable. With it being grayed out we cannot click it on to read what you are saying. Thank you, cordially.

When I hit ref on my cb on channel 1 it goes past set

@jeffnordeen9702

4 жыл бұрын

My guess would be you have antenna and transmitter backwards

@tbpc1

4 жыл бұрын

@@jeffnordeen9702 how is that even possible?

@eugeneyoung5582

3 жыл бұрын

@@tbpc1 what he means is you should set it on fwr and check it on rev/ref . This all needs to be done with out releasing the mic key.

@tbpc1

3 жыл бұрын

@@eugeneyoung5582 ive done that, no change

@eugeneyoung5582

3 жыл бұрын

@@tbpc1 have check ground ( good ground)and checked for any shorts in the coax There is a grw things that can cause that.

Can you plz make videos again adhd vids?

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

I'm trying to figure out what to talk about! Any ideas?

Don't you have to have your coax cable certain length

@JerryArbs

Жыл бұрын

Increments of 3 feet

I can't get mying Lower then 1 on channel 1 and 40

@bucktadlock5258

4 жыл бұрын

A swr of one on channel one and on forty is considered perfect, a very good broad band match, leave it there,

@eugeneyoung5582

3 жыл бұрын

I would love to see your setup. I have never seen a perfect 1 on 1 and 40. I serious too.

Your "foot print" is a cracked peanut.

Sweet! It's a science that most don't understand. Gotta split the difference.

REF is Reflectance not Reference!

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter! A few people corrected that too. 👌

Cut a bit off of the top part.

You can buy cb antennas that are self swr compatible they do the job for you that's what someone was telling me today

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

From my knowledge, most CB antennas ARE tuned by the manufacturer for channel 21 and with a 9 foot cable (or increment of 3 feet). With all of the possible variables of your set up I would highly recommend tuning it with an SWR meter. My SWR dropped an entire point in this video. That's huge to have such low readings. 👌👌

That’s a mudduck antenna lol 😂

@JerryArbs

Жыл бұрын

A what? 🤣

1:35...that button isn't REV or reverse. It's REF as in reflected power. FWD=forward. REF= Reflect or reflected. FWD=Forward power your radio is putting out on dead key, without modulation. Ref= how much power is reflected back..not reversed back. Yw

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic! Thank you!

@jfrphoto01

2 жыл бұрын

Always unkey when switching from FWD to REF or you can short out your radio's finals! I know from experience!

Great... Any better you would need to cut a piece off

Trim antenna

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

Trim it up!

Wow and I was quoted $70 to have this done at the shop . What a ripoff

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

It's true. Not many folks tune them anymore, but it's pretty simple. Get a good ground, quality cable and organize your access cable in loops like an extension cord!

@MrBA812

4 жыл бұрын

Topro 4Runner that’s crazy, it’s not hard at all and swr meters are not expensive. Around 25.00.

@houseofpills

4 жыл бұрын

Seriously. SWR meters are like...5 bucks? All you need is a big parking lot and a few minutes.

Nice earrings

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Vic! 4 gauge. Had em for aaages

If your antenna was in the center of the roof you’d have a lot better match.

@JerryArbs

4 ай бұрын

I know. I removed the basket since then. Muuuuch better reception. Thanks!

Not 100% accurate if you're near/under buildings, trees, lightpoles, etc. Find an open field and do it again!!!

Come on. Get a real antenna, it’s just too small. . I have a bad one compared to a 102 inch whip. I have a ml 145 antenna. It’s around 5feet compared the 102 inch, that is 8 feet tall. It was 60 dollars. Remember, the antenna is the most important part of your setup.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed 👌 I mentioned in another comment that I can't get into underground parking with a whip. As a freelance worker I need to get into everywhere the work leads me.

@sa6kod154

4 жыл бұрын

Jerry Arbs oh. Ok. So You use this for work communication? Or is it just as a hobby? I bring my antenna up and down all the time. When I don’t use it. It goes up to the apartment again.

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

@@sa6kod154 do you have a quick disconnector or swivel mount of sorts?

@sa6kod154

4 жыл бұрын

Jerry Arbs sorry, I don’t understand. I bring my radio in a plastic bag. And then the antenna in the other hand. Up and down everytime.

That setting is not called reverse, it is called reflection.

@JerryArbs

3 жыл бұрын

I've heard "reflection "reverse and "reference" haha. As long as we get er done.

@jfrphoto01

Жыл бұрын

The actual term is Reflected, not reflection, reverse or reference.

Haha... you said Subaru.... thats when I decide to comment and turn it off. Haha

@JerryArbs

4 жыл бұрын

That's too bad. You could have learned something about off-roading.

@raysstuff1808

4 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs HAHAHAHA...

Why aren't you showing us Channel 5 10 15 20 25 30 35? That would give us Geeks a lot of data to absorb

@JerryArbs

2 жыл бұрын

If you have an SWR to tune like this, you are welcome to geek out since you already have it. 😋🤟

@foggyfoggy5984

2 жыл бұрын

@@JerryArbs the question was why didn't you show us other channels between 1 and 40? If you're going to make a video I mean you should have Incorporated other channels to show us ,the consumer, 🤣