CB Radio

[6speed]

Installed a CB in a 2011 RAM 1500 for my son. The truck is completely stock. Have great SWR numbers. However when I started it, I am getting all the ignition noise. I am using a plug for power that goes into the 12V outlet in the back of the console. The radio is laying on the seat for now, until he returns from Japan, for him to decide were to mount it. Installing a radio isn't difficult, but I have never had this problem before. Ask anything you want, maybe I missed something

 

[mwilson]

Back in my truckin' days I found that a connection direct to the battery for CB power worked the best.



You could try that in a temporary fashion just to see if it helps before wiring it in permanently..... ????



Mike.

 

[TLane]

Ignition noise can come from either the antenna, the power leads, or both. Try disconnecting the antenna and see if the noise goes away. If you still have it, you can get a filter that will help take it out; Radio Shack used to sell them. Connection to the battery as mwilson suggested is also a good way to eliminate it (use fuses at the battery!).

If it's coming from the antenna, try relocating the antenna farther from the engine, putting ground straps on the hood, etc.

Of course, the best solution for ignition noise is to get a Cummins diesel...

 

[6speed]

Yeah I tried to convince him, but he didn't want to spend the extra money. When disconnecting the antenna, the antenna itself or the coax. The antenna is mounted to the bulkhead on the bed rail behind the cab. And if I have to get a filter, were does that go? In the power leads? And if in the power leads, at the supply end or the radio end? I will try running power from the battery and see if that works. Its going to be few days, as I am working on my thats in my signature.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Be sure that both + and - are run directly to the Battery, that's the #1 rule for possible noise elimination. There are a number of different noise suppressors and filters you can put on to try to correct problems. If you are connected direct to the battery and still have noise I would get a simple in line filter to go on the Alternator. Here is some pretty good info for diagnosing . Good luck.

 

[jelag]

when I had problems I'd use a piece of coax to power the radio... I'd run the center of the coax to 12+ and ground of the coax to 12-, thus the coax would ground any signals or interference it sees... . worked well for me for years... I'd also make sure that the ground to the antenna and the bed are good...

In years past the only filter you'd buy was one that went in the 12V+ lead, I don't have a clue how its done today...

Hope this helps. .

Jim

 

[ABennin]

My friends and I all have CB's and we have been wiring them directly to the battery for this problem. We always got more interference from vehicles with gas engines, but it was never bad enough that we needed filters.

 

[p-Bar]

Matching the antenna used to help a lot . I used to do a lot of installs back in the 70's . I never found hooking straight to the battery helped because the noise was transmitting through the whole wiring loom. Good luck. May try hooking it up to a separate battery not on the truck and that will tell you if it's coming in from the antenna or the power lead.