CB noise is driving me insane

[languy99]

Ok guys, I have finally gotten my CB radio working and nothing I can do can make the CB noise go away, whenever I start my car it's there, when the car is off, its perfectly quiet.

This is what I have on my car.

Little Wil mounted on trunk and SWR tuned

Trunk has a new ground cable ran inside of car.

Uniden radio is getting power from battery

Power and ground wire from battery are twisted together.

There is a CB noise filter just before the connector going into the radio.

The antenna coax has two snap ferrite choke magnets on it.

The only way I have found the noise goes away is if I take my hand and touch the black part of the antenna. When I do that its all quiet, but I also lose my signal strength ( I can't hear people anymore). What is going on guys?

[Freebird]

Before you do anything else I would call a cb radio shop and explain the problem you are having. I would suspect he would tell you move the ground wire (the one you have on the battery) to a metal location away from the engine compartment but I would call and explain your set-up first. It may be a specific probem with that model of radio or antenea but they shoud have had it before and know how to resolve it. I have had issues before like this where some filters are sold as filters but do nothing to resolve buzzing, humming or static. They will know what works and what doesnt. If you dont have any cb shops in your area there are also shops out of your area you can call. I can refer you to a couple if you need to phone them. I know a good tech in Missouri that will be happy to talk and help resolve the issue if you need . This one is in the petro truck Stop, ask for the CB shop when you call, its upstairs in the petro Tel: (816) 690-4455.

[Stealth Stalker]

Sounds like it's the antenna. Mag mounts are notorious for that. You don't get a true ground with magnets. But it could still be several other things too. Here are a couple of links that may be helpful to you:

The CB Radio Talk Forum :: External Link

RF Noise Supression

[Freebird]

I agree magnetic antennas are known for that. Im sure its something simple to resolve. I had a noise in my radio in my Semi one time and it turned out to be from the 12v cooler I had. that shows it could be picking up the noise thru the air, simular to when you would turn on a hairdrier and the television would go nuts, before we had cable and relied on those rabbit ears . The electricical noise can be coming from alot of sources today, fuelpumps are electric in alot of cars and can be another source too.

[languy99]

so why do you guys think that the noise goes away when I touch the antenna?

[Stealth Stalker]

Originally Posted by languy99

so why do you guys think that the noise goes away when I touch the antenna?

You are grounding the antenna with your body. That is why I feel relatively sure that antenna grounding is your problem. Although, again, it could be several other things.

Just FYI, you'll want to make sure nobody transmits while you're holding on to that antenna. It's a memorable experience.

[languy99]

I think I got it fixed. A local guy at the cb shop sold me a cb noise clipper and told me it would take care of the problem, and by golly it did. Squelch all the way down and rf gain all the way and and almost 100% dead silent.

I still want to test it out to make sure it works ok. This is what the clipper looks like:

[Freebird]

I knew a CB shop would have a simple solution. Congrats

[languy99]

The only problem now is no one wants to give me a radio check. What is up with people? Good god, if i hear someone on the line asking for a check I give it to them, not a big deal. Hell, I even drove the highway and someone had to have been on channel 19 when I was asking for a check. I just want to make sure everything is working right. Also the air waves are very quiet around here. Is it like that where you live?

[Freebird]

It varies. It will be quieter at early morning, and after dusk. Noisiest when the sun is highest 1100-1500hrs. Have you had you CB tuned up for peak output?
I would suggest it, typically 25 bucks from a CB shop, but makes your CB 3 to 4 times more powerful. Not enough to attract attention from fcc etc so not to worry.