My 13$ ebay Cobra29 got here today so now I have a question. I know I'll need a tunable tip antenna so I'm not sawing pieces off of one trying to make it work. Wilson? Firestick? Others??

Cable? Are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks folks, talk to you later.


Edit.
Used that new button labeled "search" and found what I needed.

 

Where the hell did you get a cobra 29 for 13$??? Hook me up dude! I want one of those, cable, I'd get a good one, I got a radioshack ten footer, You'll want a 20 as I BARELY had enough room to run it from my DIN under the truck and up to my bedrail lip, I took off the panel and hard mounted a 4' firestik II that I got for FREE to my bed rail lip, I can get pics tomorrow if you want.

 

I jumped on ebay a couple days ago and a guy was selling a pile of stuff from an estate sale. It's an older model but it came with the mount, dynamic and instructions. The shipping cost 12.50$ though.

I have a camper shell on mine so the bed rail idea won't work. I'm thinking I'll weld a plate to my front bumper then drill a hole for the antenna. A pic would still be cool to look at if you have one handy.

 

I'd put it on the rear bumper, or sandwich a mount betweenthe shell and the bed, or just take the fugly ass shell off! I hate shells..

 

Dude, i used to hate shells, but some of em actually look pretty baller, and they would be nice when camping.

Nice find on that cobra though

 

The older 29's are the best go get tuned and peaked and you can get about 30-50 watts out of it then have some uppers and lowers put in and you got a hell of a radio for a smokin price.

As for cable you want 18ft. RGA or in 3ft section but 18 is optimum. A whip is a better choice then fiberglaas but if your set on glass go with the WILSON.

For a mounting point if it were me I would mount it in the middle of the camper right in between the cab and shell but you want it as close to the middle as you can get it so you have a good ground plain

 

For coax or cable as you call it the best is mini-8 it comes in grey or clear, I would get in a 18 foot piece because most antennas are set for that. DON'T GET THE RADIO SHACK COAX IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

For the antenna get the firestick 2, its best for tuning because it requires no trimming, it has a knob on tob that you twist and lock with an allen wrench.

 

the best is get a antena with a magnet put it on center of the roof you will get a full 360 signal

 

Until It gets knocked off your roof by tree limbs 100000000 times...

 

u must be using a very weak and cheap one.

 

I'd put it on the rear bumper to. Weld some sort of metal tab and drill a hole through it to mount the antenna through.




Shells are also the best thing since sliced bread if you've got a pickup and live where it rains or snows a lot.

 

I wasn't using it, if you read what I said I have a FOUR FOOT FIRESTIK II.. I've seen alot of people out on the trails with them and they always get knocked over and generally suck, last time I went wheelin a few Cherokee's had 'em and they got knocked off alot.

 

[QUOTE=Snotrocket;50926681] Shells are also the best thing since sliced bread if you've got a pickup and live where it rains or snows a lot.

Thats the only reason I'd have one, but I like to haul people in the bed of my truck, and toss stuff in there all the time so its impractical.

 

I used to run the Wilson fiberglass antennas, after breaking 2, I had to try something different. Got a Hustler center load stainless - it has taken HELLA abuse, and works awesome - I highly recommend them!

 

umm... before you worry decide on tuning your antenna, you have to know on which channel it will run. anyone telling you otherwise isn't thinking.

 

in most situations, antenna location is more important than antenna tuning

 

x2 they say that you should have ATLEAST 2/3 of the antenna above the highest point of the vehicle for best results

 

Thanks for all the advice folks. Looks like the census is that no matter what antenna I get I need to mount it to the top of the shell right behind the cab. Lokks like I'll be getting a Firestik II and a "spring mount" so it'll move a little easier when I hit branches and stuff.

I can't wait to get this thing mounted!

 

Good reading here.
http://firestik.com/FAQ.htm

I personally use the Firestik II 4', and their coax system called the Firering.

My Cobra 29 has been bumped & pumped, it cranks out around 25 watts when you hold the key.
A good tuner shop will replace the amp in for a fee.