CB... nothing but static
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 51
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CB... nothing but static
First, let me say I've done the requisite search to see if I could find something on this in another thread, but I haven't been able to find anyone with this same issue.
When I got my 08 Ultra over two years ago, I replaced the stock fishing poles with shorty antennas from Auto Zone. I didn't worry about getting a CB antenna since I wasn't planning on using it, and haven't.
Yesterday, I went on a ride that required about 4 hours of riding on the interstate and decided on a whim to try out the CB. So, I put the stock antennas back on (making sure the CB antenna was on the correct side), plugged in my helmet headset and off I went.
I listened mostly to channel 19, but occassionally switched to channel 17. My squelch broke several dozen times during the ride in what sounded like "transmission-length" breaks, but I never heard anything but loud static. I tried calling several truckers during the ride, but never got a response.
I'm certain there must be something wrong to have traveled 4 hours on the interstate, passing hundreds of truckers and never hear anything other than static. I haven't made any major mods from stock on the bike, so I don't think there's any issue there.
I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on why I am not receiving anything but static.
When I got my 08 Ultra over two years ago, I replaced the stock fishing poles with shorty antennas from Auto Zone. I didn't worry about getting a CB antenna since I wasn't planning on using it, and haven't.
Yesterday, I went on a ride that required about 4 hours of riding on the interstate and decided on a whim to try out the CB. So, I put the stock antennas back on (making sure the CB antenna was on the correct side), plugged in my helmet headset and off I went.
I listened mostly to channel 19, but occassionally switched to channel 17. My squelch broke several dozen times during the ride in what sounded like "transmission-length" breaks, but I never heard anything but loud static. I tried calling several truckers during the ride, but never got a response.
I'm certain there must be something wrong to have traveled 4 hours on the interstate, passing hundreds of truckers and never hear anything other than static. I haven't made any major mods from stock on the bike, so I don't think there's any issue there.
I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on why I am not receiving anything but static.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
From: Near Richmond VA.
My CB didn't work from the factory. Took it back to the dealer (took a few times) and they ended up calling tech support. Ran the diagnostics on radio head unit and everything passed, so they replaced the comm box and it now works. Different problem though.
THoughts: Does it work going through the extrnal speakers vice the headset? Have you run the self diagnostics listed in the sticky on this forum? Pull the outer fairing and verify all connections, especially the comm-antenna connection? Is it still under warranty?
THoughts: Does it work going through the extrnal speakers vice the headset? Have you run the self diagnostics listed in the sticky on this forum? Pull the outer fairing and verify all connections, especially the comm-antenna connection? Is it still under warranty?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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I did verify that the same static noise exists through the external speakers. I too thought it might be the headset, but not so. It is still under warranty, but I was hoping to diagnose and solve the problem myself. If no one has any other suggestions, I will definitely try pulling off the fairing and checking all the connections.
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 787
Likes: 2
From: Western Wyoming
If you replaced the whips with "shorty antennas" thats the 1st place I'd look.Your C.B antenna's matched or tuned to the band width.Any old antenna won't work.You might stick the old antenna back in to see if thats the problem.Find some one with an HF SWR/watt meter also check the connections on your coax.Sorry Gotjackson I should have read your thread a little better guess you've got the stock antenna back in.
Last edited by D2R; Sep 26, 2010 at 01:50 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 815
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From: GA
Those Autozone Shorty's are AM/FM reception only.
They won't work well (or at all) with CB transmission or reception.
Need one that is tuned for this application
If you can get hold of SWR meter you can cut the factory ones and adjust the SWR once it is shotened but probably won't get as good as original as length was tuned for that design/application.
They won't work well (or at all) with CB transmission or reception.
Need one that is tuned for this application
If you can get hold of SWR meter you can cut the factory ones and adjust the SWR once it is shotened but probably won't get as good as original as length was tuned for that design/application.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: GA
Oops, then you certainly got a problem, sorry about that.
As another said it could be a bad comm unit (electronics on top of a 800 pound vibrator can go bad). You could also follow a process of elimination by checking that the coax connection has not come loose at head unit or in tour pak (look for any cuts or slices from sharpe edges where it might be grounded out to a metal surface. Most CB's need a frame ground as well, might check that it is solid and tight, no rust or corrosion.
As another said it could be a bad comm unit (electronics on top of a 800 pound vibrator can go bad). You could also follow a process of elimination by checking that the coax connection has not come loose at head unit or in tour pak (look for any cuts or slices from sharpe edges where it might be grounded out to a metal surface. Most CB's need a frame ground as well, might check that it is solid and tight, no rust or corrosion.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 148
From: Augusta, GA
Find someone else with a CB and using manual, try adjusting squelch and operation of radio. You may have been getting crossover from truckers, with linear amplifiers, and not been on the same channel as them. If this does not work you can always take to dealer to fix under warranty.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
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From: Prescott, AZ
If its still under warr - its the dealers problem, the time you spend - it could be in their shop and getting fixed and if you have my luck - I would just screw it up more since Iam not a radio guy.... just a thought