CB performance

[Houdini]

In my search for why I am unable to communicate with other CB'ers on my Valk I keep coming across this reference (found on various sites);

"Now, the good news: the original radio can be modified to work quite well. The instructions for the modification, developed and documented by John Lazzeroni of J&M Audio, have been posted on a lot of Bulletin Boards.    I have modified several radios using these instructions. While the posted instructions are clear and accurate, and the results are as promised, there are some dangers in the procedure if you are careless. How do you suppose I know that?"

Here is the BB that I lifted that quote from;
http://www.stolaf.edu/people/marshall/Year%20on%20the%20Wing.htm

I cannot find the actual instructions for improving the factory radio; does anyone know what they are talking about or have a link to the modifications?

Fellow riders say they can hear me but I cannot understand what others are saying to me, all I get is static and garbled messages.  If I am within a few hundred feet of the other CB I can understand some of what is said but outside of that I might as well not have a CB.

I borrowed a SWR meter and trimmed my antenna about 3/8" to get my reading to 1.05 and didn't want to try and get a perfect 1 since the SWR manual says anything under 2 should be sufficient.  On Sunday's ride I think my reception was worse than before I 'tuned' my antenna.

Help!

[5_19]

Chuck I suggest you get with Clay in Weatherford, TX. He tuned my radio, antenna, amplification and maximized output and then some. It cost me an extra $50 to get it down.

http://www.motorcycle-communications.com/services.html

I need to buy a new cable from my bike to helmet. Only 1 speaker works and I found that a have a bad cable.

[Houdini]

You're probably right TJ, but I'd still like to find the article they are referencing since it seems to improve the performace of the factory CB.  I may ride out to Weatherford soon and visit Clay since you are the fifth person to tell me about them.

I may (gasp) post on the main board to expand my audience.

[grizs50]

Having been a life long CBer It sounds like you have a bad solder joint. Considering the radios age and the environment these radios exist in, it's a wonder they last as long as they do.

[Houdini]

On Sunday's ride I think my reception was worse than before I 'tuned' my antenna.

Update: My antenna is working much better after the trim and SWR adjustments.  It appears that the CB I was testing against last weekend was having issues.  I rode with Yoda yesterday and I was able to hear and understand every word he said.

Thanks for loaning me the SWR meter Rainmaker.

[RainMaker]

The SWR meter is now part of the "football", the tool kit for the DFW VRCC.  It was donated as such along with the special cables we need.

Glad it worked out.  Sorry I didn't have the I/S yesterday or we could have used it's radio to check you out earlier.

That radio must be magical now.  You can actually understand everything Yoda says??

RM