Tuning The CB Radio (Aerial)
Well as previously mentioned in about CB Radios, it is vital that before you even key your microphone, you must obtain an SWR Meter.
So having your rig, your aerial, SWR meter and some coax in your hot little mitts. The time has arrived to tune the aerial and rig together. With the aerial fitted either to your vehicle or on a pole, or whatever way you choose its time to connect the aerial to the SWR Meter and set the SWR on your Citizens Band Radio. .
Here's the procedure for
an 80 channel CB:
1 Connect the coax from
your aerial into the SWR socket labeled ANT or Antenna.
2 Connect one end of the short patch lead to the remaining
socket and the other end to the CB.
3 Set the switch on the SWR meter to FWD.
4 Go to channel 1 on the CEPT/EU band.
5 Press/key the microphone and turn the CAL knob on
the SWR meter until the needle reaches the end of the
scale, normally labeled SET
5 Stop transmitting
6 On the SWR meter flick the switch to REF.
7 Press/key the microphone and write down the reading
on the SWR meter.
8 Stop transmitting.
A reading under 1.5 is
what you are after. If it's 2 it should be safe to use
but will need further fine tuning. If the needle is
in the red then there is something wrong, perhaps the
coax plugs are short circuiting so check them.
Repeat the above process
on channel 40 of the UK band and take a note of the
final SWR reading.
If the reading is lower
on channel 1 CEPT/EU, the aerial needs to be shortened.
If the reading is lower on channel 40 UK, the aerial
needs to be lengthened.
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