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How can I improve the distance of my cb radio? - Jeepwrangler dude I have a standard cobra cb radio 40 channels, with a no ground whip from Radioshack. As I have read on fourms and stuff people are saying they get like 60 miles for there range. I seem to only get 6 miles appx for my range. Is my radio crap or my antenna crap? What can I do to improve the range of it. Also do I have to use the Stainless steel aluminum mount with the antenna, or can I use a differnt one.

Best Answer: First off, 6 miles is more the norm for the Cobra 29, and is good. 60 miles...? They are skipping and that is dependent entirely and only upon the weather. Don't compare apples to horse apples... Just make sure you know how to set your SWR with the radio controls and check periodically. What you can do to your Cobra is get stronger finals for it. I have had 12 miles with my Magnum Delta Force. but it has been tweaked quite a bit before hand. I have 1969 finals in it right now, but another driver taped my steel whip to the truck while I was off duty, so my finals were shorted out If you have a CB shop in your area, go talk to them about a super tune. Mounts do not matter as long as they are kept clean. Aluminum is cheaper to buy, but corrode quicker. Just use a wire brush on it, including inside the hole where the plastic grommet fits. What is more important is the antennae. Go with a Francis 4 1/2 foot for 15-18.00, they are found in most truck stops. Make sure you have 18 feet of RG-58 co-ax. The clear plastic gold tone is the type I am talking about. It is thicker than RG-59. For clarity, use a Turner RK mic when you can get one, Astatic is also a fine mic to use but I have used my RK-56 for over 12 years with no internal problems. - wi_saint

just a word to the wise, my dad had a cb tuned above fcc regs. and it was almost worthless as far as the range he had. He got so much traffic on his cb it always was clustered and when he did break in everyone told him to turn it down etc.basically had to turn settings to normal as possible just like every one else.Mabe good for a mayday emergency but that was it. - That Builder guy

A linear amplifier may help, also, if you double the length of your antenna (exactly) it will improve the range. Also, your 40 channel is probably 2 1/2 watts, as opposed to an older 23 channel, which generally produce 5 watts. Makes a big difference. - w61earl

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