Antenna question?

[1996BLKBauer]

OK, I was just sort of test fitting everything for my CB setup, and I have an older used 4' magnet mounted antenna. I noticed that with the antenna on the roof, that it is not very secure. So I was thinking about just adding some double sided tape around the outter ring of the mount. The magnet is in the center, and it has a plastic chrome piece that surrounds it, with a 1/4" surface all the way around that touched flush with the magnet to the metal on the roof. I know the double sided tape will lift it up slightly, but will this effect anything? I doubled up a rag to act as the tape and it does not seem to effect the magnet strength. but I am new to The whole CB world so I don't want to mess anything up.

[The DB]

On many magnet mounts the magnet itself is part of the tuning mechanism. Changing the distance between the magnet and the metal can actually throw off the low SWR/resonance point a bit. At the very least you would want to check your SWR's/resonance after the fact.

Also raising the magnet the strength will be affected. You may not notice it but when (not if) it hits something it will be easier to knock over.

What kind of antenna is this? Chrome on an antenna is a bad idea. I hope its not on any of the radiating components.

Also, since your new to "The Whole CB world" I suggest picking up the antenna and cleaning between the magnet and roof about once a month. You want to use a wet rag, and make sure both surfaces are dry when you put the antenna back on.


The DB

[rizzjc]

I'd be surprised if you lost the antenna due to the magnet, unless you actually hit something. Most of the magnets I've seen are pretty strong, and hold very well when used with the antenna it was designed for.

[1996BLKBauer]

I'll have to take some pictures and show you what I have. I am glad I asked before I did anything. This is a one of those situations where I always wanted a CB in my truck, and then my friend just happen to have an extra radio, and antenna for me. Since they are both used, that are not in perfect shape, but work good enough for me. If anything this antenna would be just a short time use, I really want to do a dual whip setup off the rear lights, but I need to find a length that will work for drive thrus, and that I can good range with.

A very basic, and most likely bad representation of the magnet setup on my antenna.


Also since I am new, and don't want to make anybody mad, how do you tune a CB? I am sure this is a very stupid question, but like I said I am very new to this, and don't want to mess anything up. I am pretty good with electronics, and understanding how stuff works, this is just something I never had to deal with.

[The DB]

I've had my Wilson 5000 knocked off by tree limbs, mind you I was going about 35mph and it was a low branch. A friend of mine uses an older magnet mount antenna for traveling, it blows over at about 80mph, less if there is a headwind. You have to remember that the magnets themselves are clinging to a thin piece of metal. Sheet metal is simply to thin, so they have compensated especially in recent years by putting on larger magnets.

To get you started on tuning try this thread. It should help you get your antenna to a fairly decently tuned.


The DB

[1996BLKBauer]

Originally Posted by The DB

I've had my Wilson 5000 knocked off by tree limbs, mind you I was going about 35mph and it was a low branch. A friend of mine uses an older magnet mount antenna for traveling, it blows over at about 80mph, less if there is a headwind. You have to remember that the magnets themselves are clinging to a thin piece of metal. Sheet metal is simply to thin, so they have compensated especially in recent years by putting on larger magnets.

To get you started on tuning try this thread. It should help you get your antenna to a fairly decently tuned.


The DB

Thanks, just don't want it to be knocked off a lot. and that thread is WAY over my head right now. It was explained well, but I don't have the meter.

I am sure there are a lot of people like my friend, he told me to place the antenna in the center of the roof, and make sure to keep and metal below it. He said to route the cable away from high power consuming electronics, and to watch out for possible pinch points for the cable.

So if I follow what he said will it work well, and will I be making anybody mad, or myself for that matter?

[rrtdave]

Also since I am new, and don't want to make anybody mad, how do you tune a CB? I am sure this is a very stupid question, but like I said I am very new to this, and don't want to mess anything up. I am pretty good with electronics, and understanding how stuff works, this is just something I never had to deal with.[/QUOTE]

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cb...-swr-explained

Have fun !!

Dave 301 Nebraska

[The DB]

Originally Posted by 1996BLKBauer

...and that thread is WAY over my head right now. It was explained well, but I don't have the meter.

Seriously, get one, they are not that expensive. From the same web site that rrtdave linked to: $20 SWR meter

Originally Posted by 1996BLKBauer

I am sure there are a lot of people like my friend, he told me to place the antenna in the center of the roof, and make sure to keep and metal below it. He said to route the cable away from high power consuming electronics, and to watch out for possible pinch points for the cable.

Those are excellent instructions to follow, but they do not tune your antenna in any way. There is one and only one best length for your antenna. The further away from that length you are the worse your antenna will perform. If you are to far away from that length not only will your transmission and reception be limited, but you may actually damage your radio as well. The antenna is by far the most important part of the radio, taking the time to make sure it is tuned is a basic necessity, and it isn't really that hard...

Originally Posted by 1996BLKBauer

So if I follow what he said will it work well, and will I be making anybody mad, or myself for that matter?

So just put it up there and hope it works? People have done that. I can also tell you that while these antennas seem to work, they never work as well as the person who put them up seems to think...

To bad you live 600+ miles away up in Chicagoland, if you were closer I would have been happy to tune that antenna for you for free...


The DB

[1996BLKBauer]

Been reading a lot, I mostly get how to tune the antenna. so That is good. I also was not forgetful and got pictures of my antenna. the brand is Hy-Gain, I cannot find a model number so I don't know much about it. but here it is.

Anybody know much about the company, or how well their stuff is built? They have a website, but it is straight out of the 90's and is very hard to navigate, with very little photos to see if anything looks similar.

The base of the antenna, no you can see the chrome thing I am talking about.


The magnet, see it is sort of small, why I would have a problem wit it staying.


how tall it is, I am thinking 3-4 Feet.

[LONO100]

if i were you, just invest 40-50 bucks and get a nice willy magnet mount antenna. remember, the most important part of your cb set up is the antenna. then the cable, and then the radio.

[1996BLKBauer]

I know, but I am already dumping a ton of money in the stereo, like well over $1000. for some people it is excessive, but for me it is what I want.

All I really want is a good reliable setup, that I can use occasionally, which is what I am doing with my stereo. Later I most likely will invest in a new antenna, and a radio for that matter, but for now I just want something that works.

If anybody has had good suggestions for a magnet mount antenna, or some antennas I can mount off of the rear tail lights, which I eventually want to do for sure, please post them. Money is tight, and I am taking everything one step at a time, but in the end I just want nice reliable equipment.

[The DB]

An old Hy-Gain? They were one of the better brands back in the day. I would love to get my hands on one just to play with it...

If its internals aren't in bad shape it should perform at or near as well as it did in the old days. Unfortunately it is hard to say if that is the case without examining it myself.


The DB

[4x4junkie]

That looks more like an old 2M ham antenna to me than a CB antenna (CB antennas of that length would have a much taller plastic housing on the base for it's larger loading coil).

What is the radio you got with it? (brand / model)

[1996BLKBauer]

It is an older model Midland, I cannot remember the model number, but I will post it once I get the radio out of the garage. It's late here and everybody in the house is sleeping, so I am going to wait until tomorrow to grab it, sometimes I dislike having attached garages.

[The DB]

It appears to be a Hy-Gain Hellcat 3.

Link to old Hy-Gain add.


The DB

[4x4junkie]

That definitely looks like it may be it, though notice where the coax comes out of the base is different on the Hellcat 3 vs. 1996's antenna (the Hellcat goes out above the lip of the base, 1996's comes out under the lip).
Probably the same antenna and the base design was maybe just revised.
I'd still want that SWR meter just in case it's got a bad coil or something though, you would know right away if there's a problem with it.

[1996BLKBauer]

So I am ordering the meter tomorrow, yay! I also got the model number off the the radio I was talking about. it is a Midland Model 13-882B. I believe I found the owners manual online somewhere and printed it off.

I also, a while back picked up 3 other radios off a guy for $20, they all came with cords, mics, and even a 20ft extension for the antenna. I also got all the model numbers for those.

Blaupunkt Model BCB-5231

Eversonic (Did not have a model number anywhere)

Pearce-Simpson Puma 23C.

Anybody know if these are any good? I mainly picked them up for the mics, and extension cable.

[The DB]

The older Midlands were better then the newer ones imho. That being said, depending on parts deterioration and use it is hard to say if it is in good condition without using them. I'm not a vintage radio guy. I am familiar with the other names you mentioned but don't really know much about them.


The DB

[1996BLKBauer]

Originally Posted by The DB

The older Midlands were better then the newer ones imho. That being said, depending on parts deterioration and use it is hard to say if it is in good condition without using them. I'm not a vintage radio guy. I am familiar with the other names you mentioned but don't really know much about them.


The DB

I eventually want to upgrade to a much newer radio, but for now, like I said I just want something that works.

I also have one more question, but I am sure there will be many more.

I bought the SWR Meter today, but I did not buy the jumper cable, but I do have a 20ft extension cable, can I just use that, or will is mess up something?

I was also searching for Antennas today, and found This, but there is no review, and there is not even a brand name. but it is cheap, and has a spring, which would be nice for me.

[The DB]

20' of coax is rather long for a jumper cable, but it should work.

I am unfamiliar with that antenna. It should work about the same as any antenna of that length. I wouldn't trust the $2.00 spring though. Just what people who run a parking garage wants, an antenna designed to drag across the roof and break their lights.

The brand is Astatic, they made some good microphones until another company bought them out and started using cheap components. The model is 82FL BK. I don't know that those are still being made anymore.


The DB