CB Radio Set Questions:

ATW_SGP

New member
Hi Everyone,

I have a Defender D110 Hardtop, i recently purchased a Yaesu FTM 100 DR to mount in my vehicle. it is a 50 Watt dual band set, it seems to have a problem when transmitting, receiving.. like maybe 4-5KM and the signal gets really bad. I know that this shouldn't be the case, as my previous experience with the Yaesu 8800 on my Suzuki Jimny, i can get 15-20km easily. My antenna is mounted at the rear of my vehicle, where the rear bumper is,, Should i move it elsewhere?

Could i ask what to look out for? Antennas? Wiring> If so what should i be looking out for?

Thanks in advise.
 

johnspark

Ramblin Man
Antenna is the first stop in most situations. Is it a mag mount? If so, it needs to be centered on the widest part of the roof or surface. If it's on an edge, you might have issues with its ground plane. Beyond that, it might be in the coax line terminations or length.
 

Frdmskr

Adventurer
Is the antenna above the roofline? If no raise it higher.

If yes, look at the mount.

Suggest k0bg.com for other ideas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Hilldweller

SE Expedition Society
I recently had a similar problem and tested my coax; I had buggered when I pulled it through gaps in my install. New coax and no more problem.
Did you test everything?


Ham. Maybe a translation error...
 
Last edited:

ATW_SGP

New member
Hi! May i know what is a coax? is that the antenna cable?

I recently had a similar problem and tested my coax; I had buggered when I pulled it through gaps in my install. New coax and no more problem.
Did you test everything?


Ham. Maybe a translation error...
 

ATW_SGP

New member
Antenna is not above the roofline.. Ok! will do just that.
Some question, what is the best way for ground wire in a landrover defender or 4x4 vehicle?
Also, whats the range like for 50W cb radio?
 

4x4junkie

Explorer
CB = Citizen's Band.
A Yaesu FTM-100DR is an Amateur Band (or ham) unit.

Coax = Coaxial cable (your antenna cable).

×2, get the antenna up above the vehicle roof so that the roof isn't blocking it.
Assuming you are asking about your unit's negative power lead (ground), i usually ground to the nearest ground inside the vehicle (a bolt holding the seat down, dashboard brace, etc.). Some say that grounding it right at the battery is better, though I couldn't tell any difference the times I did that on mine (plus the shorter the wire, the less voltage or power loss). Each situation may be different though, so whichever works best for you... Both are acceptable.

Range will vary with terrain (and more so on UHF than VHF), but 50W should give a good average range of 10-15 miles (or 15-25 km).
 

AaronK

Explorer
Other countries have "citizens band" frequencies that aren't the 27mHz we're used to. Aus is UHF I believe. Singapore could be similar.

OP, did you test your SWR at all after the install?
 

ATW_SGP

New member
Thanks! Learnt something new about the CB and the Coax.
I think i would rewire the Coax, and check the power lead cables, grounding and stuff and at the same time, shift the antenna to the roof.
I am only getting like 5-8km.. which is pathetic and something is really wrong.

Would update. Thanks so much for the advise


CB = Citizen's Band.
A Yaesu FTM-100DR is an Amateur Band (or ham) unit.

Coax = Coaxial cable (your antenna cable).

×2, get the antenna up above the vehicle roof so that the roof isn't blocking it.
Assuming you are asking about your unit's negative power lead (ground), i usually ground to the nearest ground inside the vehicle (a bolt holding the seat down, dashboard brace, etc.). Some say that grounding it right at the battery is better, though I couldn't tell any difference the times I did that on mine (plus the shorter the wire, the less voltage or power loss). Each situation may be different though, so whichever works best for you... Both are acceptable.

Range will vary with terrain (and more so on UHF than VHF), but 50W should give a good average range of 10-15 miles (or 15-25 km).
 

Forum statistics

Threads
188,158
Messages
2,902,809
Members
229,582
Latest member
JSKepler
Top