Grounded plane vs. Non-grounded plane CBs---any difference in performance?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Grounded plane vs. Non-grounded plane CBs---any difference in performance?
Guys,
I was very close to buying the Cobra 75 that Mike is putting together but after reading about Jacksonpt's NGP CB, that got me to thinking about buying a NGP CB. I prefer a more "stealthier" antenna like Jackson's for that reason alone. However, is the performance of a grounded CB better? I'm willing to sacrifice stealth for performance, but only to a point.
Any advice/opinions would be great.
Bob
I was very close to buying the Cobra 75 that Mike is putting together but after reading about Jacksonpt's NGP CB, that got me to thinking about buying a NGP CB. I prefer a more "stealthier" antenna like Jackson's for that reason alone. However, is the performance of a grounded CB better? I'm willing to sacrifice stealth for performance, but only to a point.
Any advice/opinions would be great.
Bob
#2
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well are you going to use your CB all the time? For normal driving I take the antenna off....I have a quick realease mount and it come right off...no tools, nothing :^)
Mike
Mike
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Mike,
Glad you replied. Hmm...everyday? Can't say right now. But I do drive a fair amount on the freeways here in LA for business so it would be nice to use it to hear the traffic updates from all the truckers. If the CB proves to be worth its weight, then I'll probably prefer an antenna mount like Jacksonpt's.
That said, are there any performance differences b/n the two?
Bob
Glad you replied. Hmm...everyday? Can't say right now. But I do drive a fair amount on the freeways here in LA for business so it would be nice to use it to hear the traffic updates from all the truckers. If the CB proves to be worth its weight, then I'll probably prefer an antenna mount like Jacksonpt's.
That said, are there any performance differences b/n the two?
Bob
#5
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Southern MD USA
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The negative ground plane has nothing to do with the transmitter at all, but it has to do with the antenna.
The RF energy wants to leave the antenna in a cone shape in the direction of the antenna mast. The negative ground plane causes that cone shape to be pulled downward so the signal leaves the mast in a more perpendicular manner to the mast. Since most masts are mounted vertical the negative ground plane is important to extend the range perpendicular to the mast since that is the direction you want the signal to go instead of straight upward to space.
The very best spot for a hard mounted antenna is the very center of the roof with the mounting hole cut into the roof and grounded to it. Then use the standing wave meter to tune the antenna to that vehicle and transmitter. This will pull the signal as horizontal as possible to extend it range.
Gadget
www.GadgetOnline.com
The RF energy wants to leave the antenna in a cone shape in the direction of the antenna mast. The negative ground plane causes that cone shape to be pulled downward so the signal leaves the mast in a more perpendicular manner to the mast. Since most masts are mounted vertical the negative ground plane is important to extend the range perpendicular to the mast since that is the direction you want the signal to go instead of straight upward to space.
The very best spot for a hard mounted antenna is the very center of the roof with the mounting hole cut into the roof and grounded to it. Then use the standing wave meter to tune the antenna to that vehicle and transmitter. This will pull the signal as horizontal as possible to extend it range.
Gadget
www.GadgetOnline.com
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Blamalam
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
22
03-12-2022 07:34 AM
FS[GreatLakes]: 22RE performance and stock parts (pic heavy)
GreatLakesGuy
Engines - Transmissions
28
05-20-2016 10:27 AM