I just got my new midland CB and installed it on sunday. i can hear people however everytime i try to talk no one responds. The indicator light goes on and the rf meter goes up however i am not getting any resonses. what is the deal?

turn up volume

Hi Harry, I just got your note - sorry that you've been waiting 3 days. Your Midland is the traditional 40 ch 27Mhz CB - unlike the "new CB" that is really the 460Mhz FRS system. The Antenna should work as it too, is for the 27Mhz CB system. You seem to have the power run correctly as the radio does power up and visually works.

The problem could be one of several things. First, adjust the volume to about 1/4 and check the position of the CB/PA switch. It should be set to CB. If set to PA, the mic audio is sent to a speaker that would be connected to the PA jack on the back of the radio. Once the switch is set to CB, you ought to hear static from the radio's internal speaker. If you do not, rotate the squelch counter clockwise until you do - and readjust the volume to your liking. Rotate the squelch clockwise just until the static is silenced. Tune other channels for activity. Ch 19 is popular if you're near a highway, otherwise try them all. Stop on a channel with stronger activity - as you'll have the best chances of contacting this type of station (it is presumed to be closer to you). Key your mic to attempt contact between transmissions (the meter should indicate 3 or 4 for up to 3 or 4 watts output power when transmitting - if it does not, you should check your antenna and coax cable for damage and proper VSWR). The other station can not hear you while they are talking.

If they do not respond, try another channel and begin again. If you are unable to get a response, there may be an issue with your antenna or coax as mentioned above. Make sure that your coax cable is not crushed, pinched or cut. Replace and reroute any portion of the cable that is. Use the correct connectors or approved coaxial splicing devices. Twisting wires and braids together and wrapping with electrical tape is not the way to do it.

You can read some excellent info about VSWR from Firestick - a premium antenna manufacturer - here. I hope this helped and again, sorry for the delay. Please rate my reply - thanks!

Hi dm,
Welcome to FixYa.
My name is John. I will be assisting you with your issue.
Take the end of the mic. apart and check for a wire loose
touching another wire. Post back on reply.
John

Hi, my name is John. Welcome to FixYa. Try turning your SQUELCH all the way to the left, Thanks for choosing FixYa.....John

Hi, my name is John. Welcome to FixYa. Turn your MIC GAIN to MAX. Good luck and thanks for choosing FixYa......John

Either the microphone is faulty, or there is a fault with the modulator. Try a new microphone or check the connections, failing that take it to a rig doctor.

Could be your mic.. is it an amplified mic that has a battery in it? or a non... try replacing the mic or if it has a battery in it you probably have a dead battery that needs to be replaced..

turn squelch all the way off , if you still get nothing you have a bad mic

Given the fact that when you key up the mic you should not hear any thing because the receiver section is "turned off" (no antenna and the speaker is muted). This would seem to indicate that the switch the headset controls which allow the change over from RX to Tx is bad or that the circuit in the CB unit which the head set plugs into is having a problem. Do you hear the same flutter without the headset? Try to get another headset or test one out just to see if the problem is eliminated by using a known good headset.

Make sure you have a good ground for the radio and antenna. How long is the antenna coax if a little to long and you have extra what did you do with it coil it if so uncoil it and lay it out try it. If no luck I would shorten the coax and recheck your SWR.