myyota

Im getting ready to install my cb radio, and had a question on antenna height. Will there be much difference in range between a 3' or 4' cb antenna ?.

yota_dude

it depends on how high above the roof it will be.you want atleast half the total length of the antenna above the roof line

myyota

Ok, that makes sense. Thanks.

yota_dude

where are you wanting to mount antenna? i have mine on the center of roof and i can get about 30-40 miles

myyota

Im mounting the antenna just above the left tail light on my 86 4Runner using a door jamb mount.

myyota

Im going to order a 4' firestik adjustable antenna.

Elton

id get a wilson antenna

myyota

I did some quick reading on wilson antennas, and i took your advise and ordered a wilson antenna.

Blue Steel

hey guys so im just about to get a cb radio. and you guys are saying wilson?? how do i figure out what antenna is right for my radio? or does that matter? radios are new to me thanks.

myyota

If your not sure witch antenna is right for you do a google search for cb antennas and start reading. I would recommend a tunable antenna to you because it makes it easier set the SWR when tuning it. I was going to get a Fire Stick antenna, but someone here recommended the Wilson antenna, i did some quick searching on Wilson antennas and found it had better range than the others i was looking at, so i went with it.

I can post a picture of my antenna and mount if you want, just let me know.

drkblu4runner

what amd were did you all get ur swr meters?

xxxtreme22r

I am using a 4ft wilson flex antenna and have had no complaints. If you wheel they are better than your standard fiberglass antennas. But nothing beats 102" whip. but they are not very practical on a DD

swampfox

If you are planning to go off road a lot ,the ant with the wire wrap or a load coil can get damaged easily from hitting limbs. The more ant above the body the better because ,the body can cause swr problems from reflection. I ran steel whips on my trucks, they gave great performance and are very durable.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I picked mine up at Radio Shack about 12 years ago:
- http://www.radioshack.com/graphics/u...0534_PM_EN.pdf

MKtaco_98

The SWR meter at radio shack works great for only $40 used it to tune several of the nor cal guys trucks,as for installing and tuning i found alot of helpful info on right channel radios

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/pa...-pv-c0-20.html

they have step by step videos on how to tune your cb, install, picking the right equipment, etc

1981 yota

i disagree i love my 102in whip on my DD lol but in the summer i run a 6ft firestick and it works great

Blue Steel

thank you Myyota! and so heres the scenario this IS my dd. what should i do? i've heard that the roof is the best for the best performance but what about parking structures and low bridges? trees and what not? is there a dd friendly antenna that has a decent range? thanks again guys. or can i remove an antenna with ease for? i dont know. going to continue to research.... again thank you!

myyota

There are many options available, If you want to mount the antenna on the roof and you want to be able to remove it, you can use a magnetic base mount antenna, that way you can remove the antenna when you don`t need it, and stick it back on the roof when your ready to use it. You can also use a door jam mount that bolts to the body and the antenna attaches to that (that`s what i have). With that set up you can unscrew the antenna when its not needed. Its also a good idea to use an antenna spring so the antenna can flex (bend) if you go under something lower than the antenna so it wont break off.

BackGateYota92

ya man nothin out performs a 102" whip. i have a hi/low superstar 121 radio and the guy couldnt get the 6 foot firestick to tune to the hi and low channels (which is what i use for hunting) but we slapped another 102" whip to it and it tuned to the hi and low channels like a charm and i was getting some of the best swr readings i ever got. lol

Merlin

roger that - i use my 102" whip on my DD with no problems (well, gotta take it down before going into parking garages) but i don't go through drive throughs, car washes, etc... so no worries.

wife's T4R uses a 7' skipshooter with a fold-down mount, so she can fold it to about a 45 degree angle when she needs to go into parking garages, etc...