How can I increase the range on my CB radio on a volvo truck?

Question

I dive a volvo truck, these truck come with 2 antennes already but when iam driving i hardly hear anyone talking. The CB iam using is a Cobra 29ltd CHrome. The antennes came with the truck and another thing is that when someone si talking to me or in general their voice sounds so static and very very distrubing do i need a noice canciling external speaker...what do you recomend i do for better voice quality and better range and better power ont he radio and iam using a stock mic as well..other drivers say my voice sucks....whats a good noice cancling mic...and websites and i can buy antennes and external noise cancling speakers on would be a great help. Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

better reception would take care of the noise.

It could be the underpowered CB or the antennas aren't properly hooked.

Answer 2

Maybe there is something wrong with the antenna cables somewhere. Sounds like you have antennas mounted on the mirrors. You should be picking up nice string signals. An antenna is just a coil of wire wrapped around a rod, usually 102" in length, the wire that is.

Have you ever had a VSWR meter put on it? It will tell you if something is wrong with the antenna lines or connectors.

Do the antennas have connections on the bottom or are they sealed. If they have connectors, they could be corroded. Are you sure the radio is in good working order?

Answer 3

If you are using the stock antenna's, and stock coax, THATS the problem!!!!

   go to a TA or pilot or any TS with radio equipment and get the "RG mini 8" coax either in grey or clear that shows the copper...   Theen go for a 5' diesel antenna, JUST ONE!!! DO NOT CO-PHASE... (IE: get a single coax, not one that splits into 2)........... You'll get better transmit and receive with 1, take it from a driver who's been at it for almost 20 years! (CB's for about 35, I can remember needing a license and call signs, mine was KFL-1896)

Answer 4

Ask any HAM radio operator and the single most important device is a good antenna.  Antenna is like the speakers on a sound system.  No matter how good the sound system it is, if you play it on $2 speakers, it will sound crappy.  It is also the FIRST device that captures the radio wave comping in.

A good antenna will allow you to send and recieve clearly AND at greater distance.

So focus on that first.

Good Luck...

P.S.  It is also possible that the cable to your current antenna is connected badly (or corroded.)