CB radio

Two answers:
1: Since you are not touching the antenna, Theory says NO.

2: Any time you have a chance.. Checking SWR is a good idea. Antennas can change. Connections can go bad,, Loading coils can get soaked and the SWR is your first (in many cases) indication of issues.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

Checking SWR is for checking out the coax/antenna set up. If you had good receive and transmit as the old radio you should be fine, but checking is a good practice to ensure that your coax/antenna is still good.

chinrv wrote:
The CB knobs kept not functioning consistently. The volume would be very inconsistent and sometimes cut out, and other times not work at all. I'm not complaining at all about the old radio, it was purchased around the turn of the century and was advertised as a reconditioned unit, and the CB shop set it up and installed and adjusted the antenna. It worked pretty well for the last 15 years/ 215,000 miles. So, no complaints. The question is, without a separate swr meter (I don't have a meter), should the new unit (Uniden Pro 520XL) work OK using the present antenna length and setup? I know when I get out on the highway in a few days I'll find out, but just wanted a heads up in advance.

1st. buy a Wilson antenna
2nd. have the antenna set up with a SWR meter. Some times your CB will allow you talk with others on the road but the transmission is weak and garbled:(

chinrv wrote:
I'm replacing my (dead)Uniden CB radio with a new, same model Uniden. Do I have to get the SWR rechecked if I'm still using the same antenna and cable in exactly the same position. I'm just swapping out the radio, everything else stays the same.

Yes! nothing worse than finding out your CB radio is not working when you 100 miles from your home base!!!

No you do not based on your reason for changing it out. If you get similar range then no worries.

The CB knobs kept not functioning consistently. The volume would be very inconsistent and sometimes cut out, and other times not work at all. I'm not complaining at all about the old radio, it was purchased around the turn of the century and was advertised as a reconditioned unit, and the CB shop set it up and installed and adjusted the antenna. It worked pretty well for the last 15 years/ 215,000 miles. So, no complaints. The question is, without a separate swr meter (I don't have a meter), should the new unit (Uniden Pro 520XL) work OK using the present antenna length and setup? I know when I get out on the highway in a few days I'll find out, but just wanted a heads up in advance.

Yes, it's a good idea.

I would always check my ANTENNA and existing RG cable going to the radio. It may be the reason your current CB is dead...