another newb CB antenna question

[SVO42]

I've done some looking around, but I still need a little clarification. I recently got a "base station" CB unit after my family and I had to clean out my grandma's house (nursing home time , don't worry, though, granny's OK!). I think my grandpa had this thing. It's dated "1978" and it's the size of a small suitcase! It's a Royce model 642. It had everything it needed in the box-mic, manual, AC and DC power cords, even the warranty card that never got sent in. The owner has to supply the antenna, though. I hope I can still get an antenna for this thing. Here's what the manual says about it:

"This transceiver will operate with any standard 52 ohm ground-plane, vertical, mobile whip, long wire, or other CB antenna. A standard SO-239 type connector is provided on the back panel for use with popular PL-259 antenna plug."

So, my question is, am I going to have any luck at Radio Shack trying to find an antenna for it? What type of antenna would guys recommend for it? I will only use it at home-not in the car (yes, I'm still trying to sell my Mustang and get an Explorer for those of you who are stalking my posts). Eventually I'll get a moblie CB, too, probably after I get an Ex. Thanks in advance for advice!

 

[udmsvt]

i think all CB antennas are generic, but i could be wrong.

cant give advise on an antenna, because i just bought a cheapo and havent really used it to see how well it works.

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

CB Base Antenna

SVO42,
A check of Radioshack.com on line catalog didn't show any base station CB antennas. They used to carry them until recently, so you might still find one in a store. Try a google search for cb base antennas to find an on-line source. You can also make one that will get you by. Attach (best to solder, but crimp connectors will work) 2 108" pieces of wire to a piece of coax like RG58.
(available at RS) One piece of wire to the center conductor, the other to the shield of the coax. Tie a piece of nylon or polypropeline string, or even heavy monofiliment fishline to the other end of the wire attached to the coax center conductor, and use this to hoist the antenna straight up in the air, say, from a tree branch. Before pulling the wire up too far, tape the wire attached to the center conductor back down along the outside insulation of the coax cable. Now hoist the contraption up as high as possible without touching the wires to the tree, building, or what ever, You have made a simple vertically polarized dipole antenna that should be satisfactory to get you on the air. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[Sandy]

Man, please do not go to Radio Shack for anything !
Most of their products are below standard in every respect.

Get something like an Solacon-Antron 99 or I-Max 2000, a Super Big Stick, or maybe another Shakespear Antenna.

If the radio works (isn't dried up) then it is a good radio and should have a good antenna.

Remember that the antenna is the most important part of a CB Station installation. Next is good quality coax (another thing not to buy at Radio Shack). Buy Belden or my choice "Times Wire" LMR - coax.

Make sure to set the SWR for your station set-up and run only the coax needed to get from the Radio to the Antenna, allowing for any accessories.

Try these sites for antennaa and accessories:

http://www.bills2way.com/index.html

http://www.exportradios.com/

http://jims.batterysupply.com/products.htm

Try this site for info"

http://members.tripod.com/~cb_antennas/index.shtml

Luck Dude,
Do it Right the First Time,

 

[SVO42]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Unfortunately, I need to be cheap for now, so I've done some surfing and came across this site about making your own ground plane antenna. Can I get some opinions on this setup? Also, how could you tune a DIY antenna? I know I'll need a SWR meter. For now, I would rather use my money on a meter (which I can always use later) and make my home antenna for cheap. Main main moeny pit right now is my '86 Mustang SVO.

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Home built CB antennas

SVO42,

Either of the homemade Antennas at the site you listed will work. I made an antenna very similar to the first, and we have used it as an antenna for base camp on the Truckhaven Serious Explorations runs. The second one is essentially the one I described above, except I use two other pieces of wire added to the center conductor and shield of the coax, rather than stripping the center and shield out. ( a waste of good coax IMHO). If you don't have any good tall trees conveniently located near where you want to put the radio, then go with the first one.

 

[SVO42]

Thanks, Ray. I thought your coax antenna seemed better, too. I think I'm going to have to try the ground plane since I only have one tree in my yard. It's a young tree, too. It's only about 10' tall and the trunk is about as thick as my wrist. The bracnhes couldn't support anything. I would have to run the coax along the trunk. DIY ground plane it is, but I was wondering how to adjust it?

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Anenna Adjusting

SVO42,

The best low cost way to adjust and antenna is with a SWR meter. Another, much less accurate way is to listen for peak recieved noise. not too practical when trying to adjust a fixed rod. If you can find a piece of tubing that will nest inside your main piece of tubing for the center radiating element, then you can cut a couple of hacksaw cuts about 1" long straight down from the top of the larger outer tube, insert the smaller short piece, and put a small screw type hose clamp around the outer tube. You can slide the inner tube up or down to adjust length, then tighten the clamp to hold the inner tube securely in position. Use about 8' (96") of outer tube, and about 18"-24" of the smaller dia.inner tube. Your final overall length of the radiating (verticle) element will be between 102" and 108". You adjust the length for minimum reflected power, as shown on the SWR meter.

The wire ength of the "radials" ( Guy wires ) can be set at 104", or so, and will not need to be adjusted as their length isn't as critical.

Hope this helps.

 

[tac0meat]

radioshack had some discontinued swr meters and 102inch whips. i rigged up a base station antenna using that stuff. used an antenna mount, stuck a 102 inch whip on it, and attatched 3 pieces of wire about nine feet long, bolted it to a board sticking out from above my bedroom window and spread the wires out like a tripod, without any adjusting, i got a 1:1.3. total cost was about 10 bux for materials and a couple of hours.

 

[Sandy]

SVO42,

Great idea, let the site konw how things turn out.

LOL,