CB Question
 

I have something going on with my radio and am not sure what the problem is.

Here's my setup: I have a 2005 Volvo. I purchased the birds perch, a mount, 18' coax and a 4' Firestick antenna. My radio is a Galaxy 949 which has been peaked and tuned. With a dead key, my SWR is so low that it barely moves the meter (compared to swinging a 3.5+ with the factory setup).

Now the problem: last night I was coming through Carlisle. I could hear a lot of "one sided conversations", so I lowered the squelch a bit so I could hear the other side. There was steady static in the conversation, but I could now hear the second side. I grabbed the mic to respond and as soon as I touched the mic (not keyed up, just touched it) the static went away and I could hear everything crystal clear. The far-away second side of the conversation stayed the same "broken" reception, but that was because of his distance from me.

I kept playing with the radio, dropping the squelch, etc. Everytime I touched the radio or the mic, static free. Let go of it, steady static.

So, what's the solution here?

Sounds like you have some interference. Sometimes, when I plug in my phone charger, my radio has non stop static, and my meter nearly pegs out. Unplug the charger, and it's quiet, and the meter drops back. :shock:
You might have some interference from your laptop, satellite radio, or some other electronic devices. Check your power cord on your cb radio. You might even make sure that your mic plug is tight. You might check all of your antenna components. Coax, connectors. It doesnt sound like antenna problems, it sounds like there is an interference in the truck.

i had the same thing happen to me in a differen setup. nowhere near as perfect swr as yours... same thing though. touch, no static, no tuch static... what i did, is i ran some quality cables (read 8-10 gauge) straight from the battery, and and boom, no more static... i ran both lines, ground and +12V...

might help...

the thing with stock wiring, is that most of the time they are not shielded, and cheap 12-16 Gauge wires that are crap to run voltage across, but they are cheap. that's the reason i ran 4 gauge wires to my inverter too... i don't trust the factory wiring

i drive a freightliner century btw...