CB radios are a perfect way for truck drivers and offroading enthusiasts to communicate and update each other without using cellphones over short distances.
The only problem is CB radio transmission is easily affected by other wireless transmissions, engine alternator whine, electrical wire and more leading to white noise or static in CB radio.
This noise reduces the radio’s efficiency making it hard to communicate.
There are three main ways to get rid of this noise:
- By using squelch
- Playing with RF signal gain
- Applying noise filters
Using Squelch to Deal With Noise
Squelch is a good way to make your CB radio focus on a given range of clear strong frequencies and filter off the rest that is technically noise. Squelch is specially designed to do just this. Remember to use it dynamically since it affects your radio’s range.
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- Turn your CB radio to your desired channel and push the volume to your preferred setting
- Turn the squelch dial up as you fine-tune the frequency until the noise disappears
- Once you have filtered out all the static. Dial back on the squelch button so that you can receive some bit of static
- Some bit of squelch is necessary for proper transmission and receiving
How to Use RF Signal Gain to Reduce Noise
The RF gain on your radio can be used to make far away channels clearer by boosting the reception sensitivity. However, a higher gain could lead to amplified static and noise. Dial back on the RF gain when tuning in to strong nearby broadcasters to minimize noise.
You can use this with squelch to get perfect transmission levels on your CB radio.
Applying Noise Filters in the CB Radio
Some CB radios come with preinstalled noise filters. These are circuits that either automatically filter out static and amplify speech or filter out weak channels to prevent you from tuning into weak noisy channels.
Others have a semi-manual filter than you can use to filter noise on demand. These circuits are called Noise Blockers (NB) or Automatic Noise Limiters (ANL.) Look for radio with these features and ensure that it is enabled every time you use your radio.
Here are other tricks you can use to reduce noise without affecting your range
- Ensure that all your power leads run parallel to antenna coaxial cables
- Keep coax cables as far away from power cables as possible
- Use high quality shielded coax cable for your antenna
- Check your spark plugs if you hear popping clicking noises and have them replaced if they are bad
- A whirring sound means you have alternator noise. It could be a faulty alternator or the system isn’t well earthed
In most cases, you will get good reception on your CB radio when offroading since there is little to no interference out on the trail or the desert and in most cases, your friends will be nearby. The above tricks will make things clearer for you at all points.