Most desired location for antenna...any pics??

[Jake's Dad]

Hey gang:

Im thinking of adding my old CB into the mix, but I am wondering where everyone is mounting antennas these days. I wonder what new technologies are out there to avoid having a 12 foot antenna off the top of my roof and all. That it what turned me off from having my CB installed. Is there any hope?? Also - Im curious if anybody has pics to share of their antenna setup so I can get some ideas.

Thanks everyone-

JD

[Fischer]

A 1/4 Wave 3 foot antenna should be fine. You can mount it anywhere you would like but they do need a "platform" to bounce the waves off of. So with that in mind you will get the best transmission in both clairity and distance if you mount it on the center of the roof.

They say if you are going to mount it on the side to do it on the drivers side rear. This prevents too much interfereance from roadside trees and buildings.

Also the amount of cable does NOT matter. There are mixed bags on this but with the quality of todays coax it really won't affect the quality of x-mit if you have to spool a bit of extra cable. 20" seems to work pretty well for the Ex.

You will also need a SWR meeter. This will tell you if your antenna is too long or short, as well as how much distortion you have while transmitting.

Good Luck..

[Sandy]

The best location for an antenna is the middle of the vehicle as high as possible.

Most CB antennas are electrically setup for 1/2 wave but are not 12 feet tall, maybe 18 feet, not really, most CB antenna are around the three feet level and work well in most applications. You can get almost any height you want. If you want an 18 or 21 foot antenna, someone will make it.

Don't go overboard unless you need to. A small CB/antenna in most cases works just as well as the larger ones and take up less space.

My past applications seem to always go to a roof mounted three foot Wilson magnet antenna. They work well and are easily removable.


Good Luck on your choises,

[becker69]

I just installed the 'Lil Wil' magnetic Wilson antenna and base, and I am really impressed with it. The magnet is solid and sturdy, and the antenna and cable seem first rate. At a cost of $32 plus a 90 degree fitting for the cable connection into the CB, it looks good and recieves well. Good luck with your choice. Oh and it doesn't say it anywhere but the RG cable that comes with the lil wil is aprox 20 ft long.

[Jason_25]

Becker, did you have to order it, or did you find it locally somewhere?

[becker69]

Jason, By shear luck, the last place I checked (a local truck stop) actually had it in stock. I checked several "Flying J" truck stops and called 4 or 5 'communications' shops and none of them had CB antennas or magmounts besides Radio Shack. I was set to order on-line from;

http://www.wearecb.com/wilson.htm#Little%20Wil

or,

http://www.palcoelectronics.com/pe110.htm

Both sites have it for about $24. But both of those you have to phone in an order or fill out a form and MAIL it in. Shipping would have been about $8.50 so I pretty much broke even.
The links above are to the Antenna or Wilson specific part of those specific sites. Hope this helps.

[Soundguy01tx]

This is where I mounted my cb in my explorer, and where I mounted the antenna... Hope it helps.
--bryan

[Crankcase]

Every police Explorer I have ever seen has it mounted on the drivers side fender, including mine. It seems to work fine for them...

[Ray Hutchinson]

Crankcase, and all:

Yes, a cowl mount location will work for a CB antenna, but make sure you have a really good ground strap electrically connecting the hood to the car chassis. Othrewise you run the risk of picking up ignition noise on the CB. The police radios are most likely on VHF or UHF frequencies and definitely FM mode. CB is on HF (much lower) frequencies, and is AM or SSB mode. This makes CB much more prone to picking up static that will mask the desirable signals, than the PD radios.

This is why we advocate the roof top, center. It puts the max. distance, and a well grounded panel (the roof) that helps shield the antenna from in vehicle static sources such as the fuel pump or ignition system. Radio performance wise, the rooftop is simply the best location. Any other location is really a compromise.

[Big Bear Bob]

So do most people drill a hole or use mag mounts when mounting on top. Right now I have a 4' firestick II mounted on the top using a firestick mag mount. It works pretty well, but I have a 2' that I can't get the SWR anywhere under 3.5. The guys at the "Firestick online help" suggested drilling a hole, and permanently mount the antenna. That's why I wanted to know if anyone had drilled a hole to mount their antenna.

[coolchris]

jsut get a 2 ft firestik and put it on the roof. thats what i did, i still need to take pics though.

[Big Bear Bob]

Is it best to place it dead center on the roof, somewhere inside the roof rack area, or in front of the roof rack area? and will it effect the SWR?

Thanks for your response ahead of time

Bob