cb help

[Brad H]

hey i just put a cb in my truck and i'm having a lot of fun with it. the problem is i'm getting a lot of engine noise when the truck is on. i'm getting hissing through the cb and then it whines when i accellerate. i've tried two grounding places, one on the seat bracket and another on the firewall, both with the same results. any ideas on a different place to ground it or other suggestions will be appreciated. thanks

 

[Art G]

Brad, I have a CB(Cobra) installed in my RV when the noise you described was apparent. I installed an in-line capacitor (noise blanker) which you can buy at Radio Shack) the noise dissapeared.



IGNITION NOISE INTERFERENCE and here's what they say...



Use of a mobile receiver at low signal levels is normally limited by the presence

of electrical noise. The primary source of noise in automobile installations is from

the alternator and ignition system in the vehicle. Under most operating conditions,

when signal level is adequate, the background noise does not present a serious

problem. Also, when extremely low level signals are being received, the

transceiver may be operated with vehicle engine turned off. The unit requires very

little current and therefore will not significantly discharge the vehicle battery.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

The whine when you accelerate is most probably the noise coming out of the alternator, while the others are from the high voltage sparks. A noise reducing capacitor will help reduce these noises as artstang has suggested. A good ground between the hood and frame will help somewhat. Go to Radio Shack and see what they have or better still a good radio audio radio shop.

 

[CobraXP]

It is best to try and get the ground to the frame if possible, but still keeping it short. Also, where is your power coming from?



What type of CB? Antenna type and placement? Coax length and where is it run? If you have any power by your coax, you will get power bleeding depending on the coax quality. You want to try and keep coax away from all other wires as much as possible.



Filters will help to an extent, but depending on the radio, you can clean it up more with straight power that is not tied into the regular auto system anywhere and also have good grounds.



I've got a Cobra 148 with uppers and lowers and a super mod chip in my Explorer. I'm also running a LA900 linear with a Wilson 1000 steel antenna on the roof. I have a direct distribution block behind the console that is coming straight off the battery for my powered items like this. I then went to the frame in behind the console also.

 

[jason vocaty]

try www.copper.com some really neat stuff on there used to run galaxy and texas star with my wilson 1000 sounds like your on the right track with you setup good luck. get the noise filter from radio shack just put it on the radio the draw of your amp is to much for it

 

[David Ponder]

Brad,



Where did you mount your CB? I would like to install my old CB, but dont know a good place to mount it. (I have the full center console)



Thanks

 

[Brad H]

a better description...i mounted the cb on the side of the driver's side of the console. i ran the power wire into the fuse box with a 5amp fuse and ran the ground to a bolt on the firewall. the cb is one of those wal mart specials, it's a cobra 19 ultra III and a magnetic "sound FX" cb antenna (cheap)...i run the antenna out the window and put it in the center of the roof when in use. otherwise the antenna is chillin on the floorboard of the back seat when i'm not using it.