What length CB antennas do y'all have?

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 8:48 pm

Hey guys, thought I would post this over here because there are way more hits in this 4X4 forum rather than the Electronic forum. What length Cb antenna is everyone running on their rigs? I was thinking on ordering a 4ft Firestik tonight, but just wanted to check with others. Any 2ft? 3ft? 4ft? 5ft? Thanks fot the feedback.

1calkid · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:02 pm

I have a 4' firestik and haven't had any issues with it at all.

benmar2000 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:35 pm

I am running a 4' Firestik on my YJ.. Will probably run the same on my KJ... It has been beaten.. Wacked with limbs.. Got the doodoo beat out of in a parking garage... Talk about scaring the wife... LOL She thought something broke...

Ben

lilmatty · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:09 pm

I was thinking of a 2' Firestik mounted on my roof rack. Bumper and spare tire mounts don't have any ground plane. I'd still have issues with it getting whacked by branches.

I only need to get out far enough to talk to the rest of the folks on the run and don't otherwise use a CB.

So I'm interested in answers on this thread as well.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:25 pm

I just bought a 4 ft firefly model firestik. It will be mounted to the top of my spare tire carrier, so it will poke up about 18 inches above the top of the KJ.

Going on a run this Sunday, so I'll let you know how it performs.

I also only use it on the trail, and in caravans to the trail down the highway.

rocketjocky · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:26 pm

I'm sure I'm one of the few but I run a 102" steel whip, most of the time I keep it pulled down. The whip is flexible enough that when it hits anything it just bounces out of the way.
Besides I love the looks people give me when they see the antenna

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:43 pm

3' Wilson fiberglass antenna mounted to my fender in place of the stock AM/FM antenna. works great. Looks great.

Oh, and I've read that a longer antenna mounted lower but reaching just as high as a shorter antenna that only gets to the same height, is better. Also, the higher the better, period.

metal whips are not good on the trail. can hurt a trail guide.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:17 am

The 102" is as good as it gets. Its the proper wave length. Everything else is wound to 102"

Its a true 102

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 1:06 am

5 1/2 foot full quarter wave francis Hot Rod antenna mounted to the spare mount along with my back up flood lamp. 12 mile range

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 2:09 am

I just got a 2' whip from Radioshack and mounted it on top of my roof rack. Works great and saved me four hours via truckers advising of traffic wrecks on the highways in Texas.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:00 am

rocketjocky wrote:

I'm sure I'm one of the few but I run a 102" steel whip, most of the time I keep it pulled down. The whip is flexible enough that when it hits anything it just bounces out of the way.
Besides I love the looks people give me when they see the antenna

Yeah, the looks you get with a bent over 102" whip can be priceless - had a gal at the McD's drive-thru come up to the window, she started at the ball mount and her head turned to follow the antenna to the tip up by the roof rack. She looked at me and said 'thats a pretty big antenna'

To answer the question properly, I have run a 4' firestik, a Hustler 10/11meter resonator and the 102" whip. Performance of the whip does seem to edge out the other two, but even with the Firestik I can get 5-6 mile range (I keep it in the back as a spare and so I can swap it for the trail if necessary). It helps to use GOOD coax, not the thin flimsy stuff people normally get at Radio Hut. IF you have a decent CB shop in town go ask for about 25' of RG-8 coax - you may not need it all but it is always better to cut it to length than to try and splice it. You'll also need one or two PL259 connectors, depending on how you are hooking the wire up to your mount. After everything is connected be sure to adjust the SWR in the system, otherwise it wont matter how good the antenna and radio are.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:06 am

you can get a lot of quality equipment cheap at truckstops IF you do your homework. Stick to name brands and ask around.

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:27 am

I used to run a 4' FireStik II mounted in the rear gate opening, but I've switched to a 6' steel whip, as I didn't place my mount very well so it only has two screws holding it in (not very strong.)

Edwin · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:33 am

http://www.claysradioshop.com

JoshCushin · **Joined:** Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:28 am **Posts:** 2

I just installed a Cobra 75 and a 5' firestick. The guy that sold it to me (firestick rep) said longer is always better, but no matter what you need at least 2/3 of the antenna above anything else on your rig. Anything that isnt mounted high enough will not get good reception.

....... So I guess you could say its good to be "high"..........

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:16 am

Wilson Silver 3'

the1jferg · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:01 pm

102" is as good as it gets

lilmatty · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:05 pm

USAFCOP wrote:

I just got a 2' whip from Radioshack and mounted it on top of my roof rack. Works great and saved me four hours via truckers advising of traffic wrecks on the highways in Texas.

Ted, that's the route I think I'm going. Did you have to add a ground strap or did your roof rack have enough contact?

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:15 pm

I'd recommend adding a ground strap, it never hurts (except your pocketbook) and it will help your range and clarity.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:54 pm

Matt,
At first I planned on adding a ground strap (grounding the entire rack to one of the mounting bolts inside the plastic covers) but never got around to it. Forward of me my range is fine, but for some reason people behind me have a hard time hearing me clearly if over 5 miles behind, but I hear them fine. My antenna mount and cable ground through the radio (I think). Only thing on the end of my cable is a nylon washer and an "o" hook with a bolt through it to screw into the base of the shaft. Does not contact any metal on the rack, just the connection on the back of the radio.
It has been going great for 4 years now.
It is tuned to less than 1 on the meter, so that helps, but Since I need to remove it so that I can fit in Rock LIzards garage next week, I am going to ground it when I reinstall it.

What length CB antennas do y'all have?

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