CB antenna ideas?

[TANK'S 250]

^^^^ like he said....antennas and "tuning" can get tricky,...or a better way to put it is....a pain in the azzzzz.....lol



I spent a couple days tuning mine....and on a cloudy day, with calm seas....I talked to a guy in Morwenstow,.....England

And all I have is a Cobra 29,...with a 4' Wilson tuneable antenna.

[skphotoimages]

One of my husbands drivers is great at tuning them, so I'll turn it over to him before I use it, but I am struggling with the location. i should say that is we put it on the rear bumper, there is just a plastic cover, it is a steel bumper underneath, so it will be attached to metal.
Regarding the window mounts, I have read nothing but bad things about them. ..but I am totally clueless, so who knows. Here's my current question. Which install is would have better range?....
Mounting a 36inch Firestik on the back driverside corner of the rear bumper, or one of those widow mounts?

And yes, I travel every weekend on a 4 hour roadtrip each way. It is for entertainment mostly, and this might sound hokey, but it helps me feel more connected to what's going on around me. Still I want it to sound good. A one mile range won't please me.

[trkrtom]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

I have a problem with the permamnently mounted antennas in case you need to remove it for parking garages, or off-roading.

Now that I think more, is the K-40 the swivel mounted one? That actually does disconnect I think. ops:

K-40 has a twist quick release on both the magnetic and permanent base mount. I've been using the magnetic for years. I own both types

[HotRod 6.0]

oh no doubt a tuned antenna mounted to a metal surface is better than the window, I just wasn't sure how involved you wanted to get. Just an idea.

[planeoldguy]

The Wilson magnet mount antennas work great, they also have permanent (drill and bolt on) mounts which keeps the wiring inside if you want to be able to talk far these are fantastic, and both antennas can be unscrewed if you need the clearance, I wouldnt put it on the bumper as it will become very directional, you will talk farther ahead and not so far in the rear, a few inches from the back of cab on the roof works great both directions.
I talked to Alaska when I was driving by Disneyland once.

[TANK'S 250]

Originally Posted by skphotoimages

I am struggling with the location. i should say that is we put it on the rear bumper, there is just a plastic cover, it is a steel bumper underneath, so it will be attached to metal.
Mounting a 36inch Firestik on the back driverside corner of the rear bumper, or one of those widow mounts?


A one mile range won't please me.

Most times,...where you want to mount it,...and the "best place for reception"...isn't the same....so our gonna have to either go for looks,...or go for best reception...it's up to you.

8 times out of 10....the best spot is dead center of your truck....on the cab.

Please excuse my horrendous "paint drawing"......but hopefully this will help.





whip antennas, are traditionally "stronger" than fiberglass,...they can take alot of abuse....but they lose alot of reception at speed, because they bend over, and transmit towards the moon and the ground...which isn't good

fiberglass antennas are more susceptible to breaking....but transmit better at speed, because they don't flex nearly as much.


That's why if anyone ever noticed,..big rigs(18 wheelers),...angle the antenna forward to compensate for the bending of the antenna at speed.




I wanted the best of both worlds, and because I offroad(trails, woods, etc)...I put my fiberglass antenna on a quick release mount,..so I can take it down when I go in tight places , so it's doesn't get broken.

[skphotoimages]

Thanks for that diagram Tank!
Ok, question for those of you who use or have used magnet mounts...how do you keep it from scratching or hurting your paint?
I'd just assume attach it on the front with a hood bracket of some sorts. My husband on the other hand wants me to be as undetectable as possible. Chances are I'll do the bumper mount and report back...~fingers crossed~
My husband suggested doing a slightly taller antenna to get it above the height of my car..say a 4 foot antenna, but once you go over 36 onches don't you need a spring at the base? Or can you get away without it since some of it is protected by the vehicle body?

[oafydude28]

here is my setup.

[planeoldguy]

I've never done it but I've seen people cut the right size section of a lil clothing softener towel.
These arent very noticeable on the roof, the higher it is, the better it will work, just the way it is.
Quality Magnet Mount Antennas

[TANK'S 250]

oafydude28- do you run them co-phase,...or is one just for looks?

Because I've talked to a few people with superduties, and they can't get them to get in a good SWR range running two.

Have you tuned yours, and what is your SWR's?