Home >> Hobbies >> Ham Radio

How to Program CB Antennas

Citizens Band (CB) radios are devices that people use to talk to each other using radio frequency. A CB radio has 40 channels within the 27-MHZ band. The radio antenna is designed to capture radio signals, and converts the electrical signals into radio frequency signals. They were originally intended to be used by the military, but in the 1970s they became popular among truck drivers. A CB antenna should be programmed correctly to receive proper frequency.

Things You'll Need

CB radio
SWR meter

Instructions

- 1
  Power off the CB and remove the antenna coax cable from the back of it. Connect the end of the antenna coax to the SWR meter. The port will be labeled "antenna."
- 2
  Connect the short coax cable that is connected in the transmitter position on the SWR meter to the back of the CB. Close the doors and hood on your automobile.
- 3
  Power on the CB and set it to Channel 1.
- 4
  Set the SWR meter to the "FWD" position.
- 5
  Key the microphone and turn the knob until the SWR meter shows the "set" position. Unkey the microphone. Flip the SWR meter to the "Reflect" position.
- 6
  Key the microphone again and look at the reading on the SWR meter. If the meter shows in red, do not operate the CB. Recheck the connections to be sure everything is connected securely.
- 7
  Turn the CB to channel 40 and repeat steps 4 through 6.
- 8
  Adjust the antenna as needed. If the channel 1 reading is higher than the channel 40 reading, lengthen the antenna. If channel 40 reading is higher, shorten the antenna.

Ham Radio