Another CB question

[Voyager]

I just recently bought a 29 Classic Cobra. I have it hooked up to one coax and one antenna, and I'm powering through the cigarette lighter at the moment because the tractors are lease trucks, and I don't want to mess with the wiring. Although most folks say I sound ok, I would like to get the radio peaked and tuned. I want to be able to get "out" a little farther when I transmit. Is it worth my while with the setup I'm currently running?

Also, I don't have a lot of free time during my workday so I'm wondering how long the procedure would take if I do go to a shop to have it done.

[LSMR]

Peaking & tuning helped my Cobra 29.I had it done at a truck stop on I81 in Maryland.I believe it was the AC&T T/S.Cost me 45 bucks and the did the work while I waited.Took less than a half an hour.

[Big_Dave]

I did the same w/ my Cobra 29. $45 + about a 1/2 hour and it was peaked & tuned.

I put it in the truck and the guy came out and adjusted the SWR's.

Pretty painless. ;)

[Voyager]

Thanks! :)

Now to find a reputable shop. :thinking:

[Uturn2001]

The CB shop in Barkeyville, PA (old exit 3 on I 80) is suppose to be really good if you get over that way.

I have had good luck at the CB shop next to the Pilot on I 70 exit 127 in Ohio.

[Voyager]

The CB shop in Barkeyville, PA (old exit 3 on I 80) is suppose to be really good if you get over that way.


I saw that in another thread. Unfortunately, I run in a 150 mile radius of Allentown and the farthest west we go is Lewistown. There is a small shop tucked away behind a strip mall on US222 between Kutztown and Reading PA I might check out, but I know nothing of their reputation.

[LSMR]

Frystown All American T/S on I78 has a CB shop.Have heard anything bad about them but I've never used them myself.

[Range Rider]

Not to throw a monkey wrench into the works here, but I'm not convinced a lot of these CB shop guys know what they're doing. "Peaking and tuning" a brand-new radio? This just screams over-modulation, clipping, and distortion. There ARE standards for RF emissions. You can't go higher than 100% modulation on an AM signal without distorting and splattering it.

The best thing you can do to maximize your signal (without getting into illegal linear amplifiers) is to make sure your antenna system is absolutely right - mechanically and electrically. This is where field "tuning" comes in - your antenna needs to be tuned, by getting the SWR as low as possible. Take care to use good coax cable, make good connections, sink a good ground on the antenna, and finely tune the whip to match the operating frequency, using an SWR meter. This will transmit your absolute maximum signal from (and reflect the least amount of energy back into) your radio. When the antenna system is perfect, you "get out" better, the radio runs cooler, and you'll have a measure of better reception as well.

A quick listen reveals a lot of terrible-sounding radios on Ch.19, and I suspect a good number of these have been "peaked and tuned". I'd at least make sure the tech had a Commercial FCC Radiotelephone (not an Amateur) license. Something to consider. :whistling: