RF power output fail

The RF Power diagnostic test determines whether or not the radio has adequate carrier, with my LX if the deadkey ( carrier ) is set below 3 watts it will say fail. I would suggest he get check the carrier watts with a meter, does the voltage test and the antenna test show pass? Now if the CB that tuned it up did a swing kit mod then the deadkey will be set at 1 or 2 watts and swing high, and that will show RF power fail, wont be able to determine without a meter check.

 

When he keys up the radio does the meter move up on the scale? If not the radio has very little carrier.

 

Another possibility may be that the final is bad, did the problem just start or did it read fail from the moment he hooked radio up? I once had to hook up to stock antenna on my 2016 cascadia and the SWR was reading 3+ , and if his is that high transmitting on the radio over time can damage the final and make it fail.

 

Hello,

I am the one JReding is talking about. I purchased the radio from a eBay seller with high ratings. I thought I would be getting a good radio, and was excited about the purchase. Maybe it still is...? Here is a link to what they are selling so you know what going on. This isn't the exact listing I purchased of course but the description and seller are the same.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-C...946544?hash=item2a353efbb0:g:NpEAAOxyJs5RbsQ6

What you said makes sense (I think) regarding the dead key. Is the dead key the same as the standing wave ratio (SWR)? If so I think I recall asking the seller about this, but that was two years ago. I know very little about CB radios, I have no testing equipment, and very little patience for things that don't work right. Would you suggest getting a meter (what is it called) and test it in vehicle, or taking it a shop and having it checked out? What I really want to know is how to measure a good approx range to know that I'm going to be heard/transmitting for a reasonable legal distance. I appreciate any advice or suggestions.

 

Two new radios same issue with both its got to be the stock antenna system in the truck. Both those radio stock OTB should have the carrier set between 3 and 4 watts ( 4 watts is FCC limit ) so for what ever reason they are not putting out 3 to 4 watts when you key the mic, at least not all the time as evident by the fact that you sometimes get a pass reading. My guess would be if you tried the radios on another antenna system they would probably work fine. I do not use the factory antenna in my cascadia, but I hooked up my 29LX to it and the radio passed all three tests, and I see alot of drivers out here using the factory antenna system so it may just be faulty coax or antenna in your truck, best thing would be to possibly have a cb shop check it, or consider setting up your own antenna,mount, and coax, like alot of us do. There are numerous threads on this forum that address that subject. To answer your question, no the deadkey ( carrier ) and SWR are not the same, deadkey is RF power without modulation, and SWR is Standing Wave Ratio which is a measurement of the efficiency of the antenna system, just google SWR or go to a website like Firestick or CBRadioMagazine.com and read an article that will explain in it detail, and yes the purchase of a Cobra 29LX was a good buy they are good radios for the money and have all the features you will need, and with a good antenna system average range should be around 5 to 10 miles.

 

None of this installation is permanent and it can all be bought in most truck stops. Wilson bracket that attaches to mirror arm base, antenna mount, RG 58 or Mini 8 coax, and 5' or taller fiberglass top loaded antenna with adjustable stinger on top, a Firestick works good. Total price for all items will run you about $90.00.