Antenna tuning is not mandatory, however, it is strongly suggested for lower frequencies such as those used in CB.

You should be able to just hook it up and have it work. If you tune the antenna, it will work better.

That said, go to Radio Shack and drop $20 on an 'SWR Meter'. This device connects between your CB and your antenna and will give you a reading on how well your antenna is tuned.

To get the reading, do this:

1. Set the switch on the meter to CAL (Calibrate). Go to channel 20 AM. Key up and turn the knob on the meter until the needle on the meter is just exactly on the last mark on the scale. Let go of the key.

2. Set the switch on the meter to SWR (Standing Wave Ratio). Key up the radio again and take a reading. You are going to be reading the scale that runs from 1 on the left to infinity on the right.

If the reading you get is below 3 (this is called 3:1), then you are reasonably good. If it is below 2, that is excellent.

If you get 3:1, you might want to consider checking again using channels 1 and 40. If you get much higher than 3:1 on either of those channels, or if you get more than 3:1, then definitely tune the antenna.

If you get less than 3:1, you can usually just leave it be.

If you get less than 1.5:1, don't even think about messing with it, it's good!

As for the process of actually tuning, there will be some instructions that came with your antenna.

If it is a mobile whip, then it is likely that there is a set screw near the bottom. You loosen the set screw and then slide the whip up or down to change the tuning, and retighten.

If you slide it one way, and it gets better, you slide it a little mre that way until it starts to get worse.

If you slide it and it gets worse, slide it the other way.

You are trying to focus on a sweet spot in the middle somewhere.

Does that help?

read this book.
www.radiobooks.com/books/bcbr.htm
except for old ARRL handbooks this is the best i've seen.