cb antenna

There is ~ 30 people in the group I run dogs with. About 10 of them run the same one you have. The rest of us have the 102" whip. I dont see any difference in antenna. I believe the difference is in the CB. My $100 uniden does OK but their $500 galaxies work a lot better. I love my whip. Its fun to go through the drive thru at the bank or car wash and watch everyone turn their heads.
 
You'll do fine with a 3-4' firestick type. I don't like to see a whip type in the woods because they flop around and bystanders can get hurt, seen it! Many tie them down, but seems they still get loose and cause issues. My .02
 
I've broken a dozen fiberglass antennas. I hate them, but the local dealer gave me a lifetime warranty and 102" is too much for my buggy. I have 102" on my other rigs though.
 
a whip witha magnetic mount WILL COME OFF.

i can show you run over proof of this happening. just stick with what you got. when you join your frat, they will mandate the minimum size of whip antenna that you will need on your z71. also, they will help you with positioning of the requisite tennis ball.
 
GubNi said:
I've broken a dozen fiberglass antennas. I hate them, but the local dealer gave me a lifetime warranty and 102" is too much for my buggy. I have 102" on my other rigs though.
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I have never broke one, but I do use a spring between my antenna and the mounting base. I got it at a truck stop that sells CB stuff.
 
The bigger the better. If clearance (trees, parking decks, etc) isn't an issue, get a tall whip. Mount it high as possible for the best reception. A 102" whip antenna with a good ground (keep as much of the antenna above the ground as possible) will "out talk" a fiberglass antenna with ~20 watts or so most any day.

Nothing wrong with a fiberglass antenna, but I've never seen one over 5' tall.

K40, Wilson, and Predator all make magnetic mounts that are pretty stout. The magnets make grounding a cinch, but they do weaken over time.

The K40's and Wilson's are very easy to tune in.

Some of the high end radios have a built in amp which makes a huge difference.

I run a General Lee, RK56 Mic, Dave Made M200, and a K40 with a Magnetic mount on top of the cab. I can talk in 15 miles or so most any day. Usually more...
 
ncredneck said:
im currently running a 3 foot fire stick but i want other opinions what are the pros and cons to a whip antenna???
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Dont run a whip antenna. Its not the length of the antenna, its where its mounted. I run a 3 foot custom made by a CB shop in indian trail, and when they put it on my rig, it read perfect at all 40 channels. If you want peak performance, mount it on the roof, or as high up as you can..The trick is to have as much of the antenna as possible over the roof. Like if you put the firestick on the roof with a good magnet mount, it would get better reception that a whip on the rear bumper. Another way to get more distance is wether or not your radio has been peaked out. If you have a stock radio, you are probably running like 10 watts. I have a little cobra 25 WTX, and I am making 35 watts peaking 40, which is pretty good for a 40 dollar unit. I can get about 30 miles reception 360 degrees. Hope this helps man.
 
ncredneck said:
im currently running a 3 foot fire stick but i want other opinions what are the pros and cons to a whip antenna???
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Dont run a whip antenna. Its not the length of the antenna, its where its mounted. I run a 3 foot custom made by a CB shop in indian trail, and when they put it on my rig, it read perfect at all 40 channels. I have a really strong magnet mount on my roof of the cab. If you want peak performance, mount it on the roof, or as high up as you can..The trick is to have as much of the antenna as possible over the roof. Like if you put the firestick on the roof with a good magnet mount, it would get better reception that a whip on the rear bumper. Another way to get more distance is wether or not your radio has been peaked out. If you have a stock radio, you are probably running like 10 watts. I have a little cobra 25 WTX, and I am making 35 watts peaking 40, which is pretty good for a 40 dollar unit. I can get about 30 miles reception 360 degrees. Hope this helps man.
 
I have my antenna mounted on my roof of my xj i might just keep it but i cant find a magnet mouunt for a firestick.. im thinking about getting my cb redone like for better peak performance anyone know where theres a cb shop close to clayton/raleigh
 
Bigbluechevy said:
Its not the length of the antenna, its where its mounted. ...... in indian trail, and when they put it on my rig, it read perfect at all 40 channels..... If you want peak performance, mount it on the roof, or as high up as you can..The trick is to have as much of the antenna as possible over the roof. Like if you put the firestick on the roof with a good magnet mount, it would get better reception that a whip on the rear bumper. If you have a stock radio, you are probably running like 10 watts.... I have a little cobra 25 WTX, and I am making 35 watts peaking 40, which is pretty good for a 40 dollar unit. I can get about 30 miles reception 360 degrees. Hope this helps man.
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ROFLMAO! :shaking:

Don't forget to sacrifice a chicken and dance around your rig under a full moon while naked.


Best thing ... do a search ... this has been beat to death here.
For performance, you CAN NOT beat a 102" whip ... it's even better with the spring mount. You can get 102" fiberglass if you want to. ( I wouldn't suggest it tho').
But they are big and cumbersome on the trail.

For the trail, I suggest a bottom loaded steel whip. It has a coil in the base to make up the electrical length difference needed so performance is ok and the whip itself is practically indestructable.

I will agree that you need it as high as possible.

But think about this, if all you need it for is on the trail, 1/4 mile is about as far as you'll ever need.

btw- a legal stock cb sold in the US only has 4 watts output in AM.


Matt
 
I was thinking the same thing about watts as in 3-4. I believe my buddies Galaxy that has been worked on is only putting out ~ 10 watts
 
I tell you what, if you are calling bullshit, go get my radio from my rig, its at carolina truggies, hooked up and everything, I have tested it from indian trail to westinghouse blvd and picked up bigfoot(if any of you know who he is) kinda clear. Bigfoot was the guy who worked on my radio, and I never once said I was 100% it was putting out 35 watts, but thats what he told me when I bought it last year. He owns a little cb shop here in IT, and gets on the base unit every night channel 28, so you can ask him whatever you need about cb's, I am sure he will help you out.
 
^^^Yep, Big Boys or TA's and find what you need. I have the meter to set the antenna also. Dont forget that locker, you need to wheel first.:flipoff2:
 
you can get whips at radio shack you just have to ask for them there in the back. also the only thing close to a cb shop in clayton is at wilco hess at 40/42 they have some firesticks and cbs there
 
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