CB radio wiring

99sierraman

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I have a cb installed and have been just using a cigarette plug to power it. Only problem is that I am getting some interference. I would like to hard wire to the battery but the wires are not long enough. Is there an unused fuse or a fuse that I can safely tap into on the little fuse panel under the dash (drivers side)?

Its a '99 Sierra SLE. (Same one in sig)

Thanks in advance.
 

dirtyoldman

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I have mine connected to a constant power terminal in the fuse block.
 

99sierraman

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Are you talking about the one under the hood or is there a power terminal on the one under the dash too? I suppose if a had to run it out to under the hood I could scrounge up some wire. Just seeing if I could get away with keeping the wiring to in the cab.
 

dirtyoldman

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My mistake,it's not the fuse block,duh!...it's the conveniance center and it's under the dash attached to the firewall next to the E-brake...at least it is on my '95.Can't miss it,there are a bunch of wires going to it.
 
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99sierraman

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What kind of interference are you getting?

Noise when the radio is on or the doors lock/unlock.

My mistake,it's not the fuse block,duh!...it's the conveniance center and it's under the dash attached to the firewall next to the E-brake...at least it is on my '95.Can't miss it,there are a bunch of wires going to it.

Alright thanks I'll take another look and report back. :thumbs:
 

That Crazy Squirrel

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Let me rephrase the question... What does the noise sound like? Is it a whine or a hiss? Does it change with engine/vehicle speed? Does anything make it better/worse?

With radios, different types of interference make different sounds, and have different causes.
 

99sierraman

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Let me rephrase the question... What does the noise sound like? Is it a whine or a hiss? Does it change with engine/vehicle speed? Does anything make it better/worse?

With radios, different types of interference make different sounds, and have different causes.

Its a whine. It does change with engine rpms (worse at higher rpms) and happens a lot more often when the fm/am radio is on. The door lock/unlock is more of just a "ch" sound, if that makes any sense.
 

That Crazy Squirrel

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Okay, a whine is generally from the alternator and can, in some instances, indicate an alternator that's starting to "go".

The place to start with these type of radio noise problems is with checking your grounds. Particularly important with these trucks (I have a '99 GMC too) is the block to frame strap located on the passenger side rear of the engine. Also important is the frame to body strap there, and the pigtail that sometimes comes off the negative battery terminal and goes to the fender. Check all of those for broken, loose or corroded connections. Clean, tighten and replace as needed. Don't neglect the usual negative cable to the block. Make sure that's clean & tight too.

If you still have the whine after that I'd suggest having the alternator checked by a good shop.

You can also run the leads for the CB direct to the battery (preferred method with any two-way radio gear) using good wire (ie: not speaker wire or an old extension cord) that's properly sized for the current and properly spliced (preferably soldered) to the cord on the radio.

If that all doesn't solve the problem I'd suggest a ferrite bead or a torroid added to the power lead.
 

99sierraman

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Okay, a whine is generally from the alternator and can, in some instances, indicate an alternator that's starting to "go".

The place to start with these type of radio noise problems is with checking your grounds. Particularly important with these trucks (I have a '99 GMC too) is the block to frame strap located on the passenger side rear of the engine. Also important is the frame to body strap there, and the pigtail that sometimes comes off the negative battery terminal and goes to the fender. Check all of those for broken, loose or corroded connections. Clean, tighten and replace as needed. Don't neglect the usual negative cable to the block. Make sure that's clean & tight too.

If you still have the whine after that I'd suggest having the alternator checked by a good shop.

You can also run the leads for the CB direct to the battery (preferred method with any two-way radio gear) using good wire (ie: not speaker wire or an old extension cord) that's properly sized for the current and properly spliced (preferably soldered) to the cord on the radio.

If that all doesn't solve the problem I'd suggest a ferrite bead or a torroid added to the power lead.

I'll check it all out. Thanks for the info.
 

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