Wire CB to stock FM Antenna?

[ParkerRocker]

Is it possible to run your CB from the stock antenna on the explorer? I know that the range will be decreased, I know that the ends are different, if i splice an end into the wire for the antenna can i use that?

[Texan01]

I have a Realistic Secret Antenna that uses the standard FM antenna to transmit and receive. I think the best range I've gotten out of it is about 3 miles using a 1976 Kraco 23 channel unit.

I have no idea if it's being offered anymore as mine dates from the '70s.

My guess is that it uses a 300ohm load coil to avoid transmitter burnout on the low resistance FM antenna and a couple of diodes to avoid frying the tuner on the AM/FM radio.

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by ParkerRocker

Is it possible to run your CB from the stock antenna on the explorer? I know that the range will be decreased, I know that the ends are different, if i splice an end into the wire for the antenna can i use that?

You will have less than a 1/8 Wave Antenna, poor grounding and one fun time trying to match the SWR.

There was once a setup you could buy that was for AM/FM/CB but it didn't work well at all.

A 1/4 Wave Antenna is the smallest you should use.
1/4 Wave length is 108"; that can be a straight piece of 3/16" s/s or a thinner piece piece of copper wrapped around a piece of fiberglass at different overall lengths like the Firestik.

The main thing to remember is the higher the better.

Buy a good quality fiberglass Wilson 3 footer and find a way to mount it that works for you; I think there is a 2 footer FireStik out there too.