I just installed a CB on the XJ and i need to know how to test it. I bought it at the local Swap Meet and of course its used.

 

Turn to channel 19 go near a highway with a lot of trucker traffic and say "breaker one nine, radio check" If they hear ya they'll answer.

 

There is a meter called a SWR meter, that is used to tune the antenna. SWR= standing wave ratio IIRC and it fine tunes your antenna to the place in which you have it mounted. Most of the larger truck stops have a radio guy who can do the tune up for a few bucks or in my case a six pack. Made it a lot easier to get out and be heard on a trail run.
Hope this has helped a little.

 

"You my boy Blue!" LOL!
Yeah it helped. The antenna that i purchased is tunable and had no idea what that was. Does the radio have this meter or do i HAVE to take it to have it done?

EDIT: I forgot to mention that i did go by the highway and try to do the radio check. It worked but i could hardly hear them. Is that because of the antenna not bein tuned? Or could it be that the speacker is toast?

 

The top of the ant probably turns, that is what you use to tune it with. Further then that the tuner will probably have instructions regarding exactly how to tune it.

 

I have a body mounted antenna, and do not know of a tuner on it. I can post pics if needed. Any help?? Thanks!!

 

The one I have is a base loaded magnetic mount. I use the roof as a ground plane. The SWR meter allows the tuning by adjusting the length of the stainless steel rod that sticks up from the base. It has a set screw that allows the rod to be moved up or down as the meter is watched. the meter will peak when the signal peaks. The meter hooks into the coaxial lead from the antenna to the radio.
That's about all I know about it and yes it needs to be done by a radio guy who possesses the SWR meter, not by using the little meter on the radio. That only tells you the radios output not the ratio of the antenna's output. Separate readings entirely as I understand. I'm no radio guy. I just ask them a lot of questions and pass that info along.

 

Some of the better radio do have a switchable SWR/Power meter (such as my Cobra 148 GTL). However, a standalone SWR meter will likely give you a more accurate result. Transmitting with a radio that has too much of a SWR can damage the transmitter cirucuit (receiving is fine). Do get yours tuned ASAP. You can buy an SWR meter for $20 on line or around $30 at Rat Shack, if you think you might use it more than once.

Our club owns one that members can use--perhaps someone of your acquaintance might as well? Antennas (such as a simiple whip) that do not have an adjusment feature can be tuned via trimming a small amount at a time.