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CB Antennas, reccomendations?

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sask_riot

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So right now I have a Midland window mount cb antenna, but I'm thinking I would like some more range. I have the Midland 75-822 Portable CB, which sits between my e-brake and passenger seat while not in use.

I'm contemplating which antenna would best suit my application. So far I'm leaning towards a 3ft Firestik mounted either to the rear hatch or to the rear bumper.

I want something mounted low and at the rear of my patriot. Less chance of getting caught on bushes and wrecking it. Hopefully something that won't give me the annoying sound of banging on the vehicle or my roof rack.

Any thoughts? Links?
 
#4 ·
Normally the longer the antenna, better range and reception quality. I'd say go for the max length you can live with. 3 ft will work just fine. I currently have 2 ft antenna because with 3 ft one I couldn't clear the garage door. With 3 ft antenna I got better reception though.
 
#7 ·
I have a Wilson Little Wil for my CB. Seems to work alright for a starter antenna. I'm sure there are much better ones for just a little more $$.
 
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#8 ·
SREJECT said:
I have a Wilson Little Wil for my CB. Seems to work alright for a starter antenna. I'm sure there are much better ones for just a little more $$.
Click to expand...
I also run a Wilson Little Wil.

I"m using a Midland 75-822 just like you Sask Riot, any antenna you get will be better than the one you have now.

As a point of reference, the Radio a put into my Jeep for work (Kenwood NX700 VHF) for railway use works with my Little Wil Antenna. I know VHF has better range but with my antenna I can hear trains over 30kms away from me. The transmit wattage isn't as high on the Midland Portable but I've been able to transmit 5kms away.
 
#9 ·
Bad swr

the_jeep_now said:
I don't have a definitive answer on that. I believe as long as you tune it correctly, SWR 2:1 on all channels would be ideal, you should get a mile or two range.
Click to expand...
CAUTION :
I would never key a mic up if your swr is 2:1.
I would be very cautious 1:5 or above. A swr thats too high will burn up your radio.
I keep mine 1:2 or lower.
Just my 2 cents. Thats the way I've been taught from reading forums, listening to techs.
Good luck.
 
#10 ·
sask_riot said:
So right now I have a Midland window mount cb antenna, but I'm thinking I would like some more range. I have the Midland 75-822 Portable CB, which sits between my e-brake and passenger seat while not in use.

I'm contemplating which antenna would best suit my application. So far I'm leaning towards a 3ft Firestik mounted either to the rear hatch or to the rear bumper.

I want something mounted low and at the rear of my patriot. Less chance of getting caught on bushes and wrecking it. Hopefully something that won't give me the annoying sound of banging on the vehicle or my roof rack.

Any thoughts? Links?
Click to expand...
I have the MIdland 75-822 and a 2' Firestik mounted to the hatch. Haven't had any problems with getting it caught on anything, unlike the roof top magnet mount I used to use. I don't really know as far as distance, but for what I use it for I haven't had any problems. The Firestik was also fairly easy to tune.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Sandstone said:
I have the MIdland 75-822 and a 2' Firestik mounted to the hatch. Haven't had any problems with getting it caught on anything, unlike the roof top magnet mount I used to use. I don't really know as far as distance, but for what I use it for I haven't had any problems. The Firestik was also fairly easy to tune.
Click to expand...
Ya i have issues right now with the window mount getting caught on stuff lots. Thats good the firestik is easy to tune because I honestly have no idea how to tune. Right now I only get a few hundred feet of distance which really sucks.

How hard is it to run the cable through into the hatch plastic? And any issues with hitting the tail light or wrecking paint on the hatch?
 
#12 · (Edited)
sask_riot said:
Ya i have issues right now with the window mount getting caught on stuff lots. Thats good the firestik is easy to tune because I honestly have no idea how to tune. Right now I only get a few hundred feet of distance which really sucks.

How hard is it to run the cable through into the hatch plastic? And any issues with hitting the tail light or wrecking paint on the hatch?
Click to expand...
It's pretty easy to install the mount, only takes a couple of holes and some sealant. No problems with the tail light or the paint on the hatch.

To bring the cable through, you have to lift the weather stripping, cut a small notch into the metal lip that it mounts to, and notch the weather stripping. File off any sharp edges, route the cable through, apply some sealant around the cable where it comes through, and put the weather stripping back in place. I also added a drip loop in the cable to help keep the water out.

Image
 
#19 ·
SWR is just forward vs reflected power, if you want half power of the radio to the antenna it would be around 5.8:1, I personally like radios tuned to 2:1 (it's what air traffic controller radios are tuned to, also most transmitters have a fold-back circuit to prevent damage from excessively high swr, most transmitters, the reason the 2:1 is used for air traffic control radios is because anything higher than that wi start lowering the output power of the transmitter. Resonance rule of the is approx 1:1 to 1:5 so don't go higher than that, but a 2:1 is optimal for most radios, which is also dependant on the specific antenna you are using, the length of the cord and antenna being cut to the length of the radio wave will make the signal better as we'll, you'd have to google wave lengths and cutting antenna's, I work on air traffic control radios and all the wires are a specific length for the freq, but without getting into modulation


TL&DR: I'd say choosing the right antenna length for the freq (google about) will be far more important than the wire it's self, and a SWR of 2:1 is optimal on most radios. Also range is based on the output power of the radio it's self, more watts, the farther it goes
 
#20 ·
I got a Wilson 1000 mag mount but my problem is the ribs on the roof are too close together. It worked fine on the van I traded in. I have it up by the windshild where the ribs stopped. It looks terrible. Any recommendations for an antenna. I don't want to droll no holes anywhere. Is there any that clip to the roof rack ??
Thanks !!
 
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