Just like it says. I'm getting the Cobra 75 for my JGC for road trips and am looking for an antenna recommendation. This is something that will see limited use. Mostly weekends and when I'm driving the JGC on road trips.

I've used magnetic mount antennas in the past and found they get knocked off pretty easy. Now this was YEARS ago and I think it was a crappy antenna too. I'm not thrilled about jamming the wire through a door jamb/hatch etc.

I also am not sure I want to have a permanent mount (even with a disco) since they are sort of unsightly when not in use.

This is my wifes rig, so it needs to be pretty stealthy.

I've heard of the ones that use the existing antenna, but heard they suck.

Any opinions?

 

You could always get a splitter to allow sharing your AM/FM antenna with the CB. They work fairly well and all you do is plug the splitter into the radio antenna (has male and female plugs) and hook up the CB.

 

Any other thoughts on this? I guess I could try the FM Antenna - heard it doesn't do too well and also messes with the FM reception.

 

I've used several and they work OK. Don't notice any FM or AM inteference, SWR on the CB transmit side is a little high but liveable. I've run both the "CB shares the AM/FM ant." spliiters and the "AM/FM shares the CB ant." splitters and they both work. If it is just for talking car to car on the road or whatever, should be no problem. If you are planning to shoot the skip and/or run a high power amp and whatever, then get real antenna. And for trail use (at least in trees) the shared antenna means you need to run with it extended if you want the CB to work. Main reason I switched to a dedicated CB antenna.

 

I have used "Hustler" brand magnetic mounts before, thay are about as big as a CD and have 100+ lbs of holding force. This, with a spring and a short fiberglass antenna could be spliced to small diameter coax that would not be a problem with doorjams. When not in use, remome the antenna and the mount is about 1/2" high of the roof, smooth and flat black, she should be able to deeal with that.

Lamm

 

Firestik II w/ a HD spring on a quick disconnect...take it off easily when not in use and put it away. Great reception and takes a licking from overhead trees.

 

I liked Al's setup so much, that I cloned it on my rig:
http://www.hboss.net/4runner/cb_install.htm

If you want the contact info for the mounting bracket, let me know.

I topped it off with a nice NMO cap too and cloned it further to the other side for my ICOM 2200-H radio.

 

That's the same setup I'm running on the Explorer, it works really well on the highway and a fairly low SWR.

 

Anyone have experience with the Lil-Wil mag mount from Wilson? I was thinking of it or the 1000.

yabedude, that is slick. Do you have info for the mount and do you have issues with it rubbing at all, like flex from offroading?

 

I use a mag mount and have never had a problem - and it's been whacked pretty good. I'm pretty sure it's the Wilson 1000

 

No rubbing problems. I used heat shrink tubing around the base, up to the level of the hood, in case it did decide to come loose. So far so good. Both sides of hood are still firm/solid. It's been thru the bush on a few occasions, and both sides got tugged on more than a few times -- I've got the scratch marks on the sides as evidence. No issues to report.

The bracket was purchased from:
http://www.cbcity.ca/index.php
CB City
16806-118 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5V 1M8
Canada

(888) 451-4141 or (403) 451-4141 if that doesn't work.

This is what they call a "Z" bracket. Note that they only have (had?) 3/8" holes in their brackets and, if you go with my setup, you'll need 5/8" to fit the Maxrad NMO. I got my brother to bore the holes larger. Cost was $10 + $0.70 GST + $6.53 shipping = $17.23? To ship to the US will probably be a bit more -- assuming they'll ship south that is. Don't assume anything.

 

I think you have answered you delima. "I've used magnetic mount antennas in the past and found they get knocked off pretty easy. Now this was YEARS ago and I think it was a crappy antenna too."
Would suggest a good magnetic mount. Cobra has several such as the HG-1500 for $40 list price.
http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=...ct_id=210&id=1
I use a magnetic for both Ham and CB as do several members of Ham and Off-Road clubs I belong to. Have never had a problem. Magnet should be placed pretty close to center of roof to prevent rf radiation from getting into vehicle. Anyother place puts you in line of radiation pattern. If you can see the antenna you will get some rf exposure. Tip: Cut a single piece of plastic from a plastic storage bag to place under magnet. Prevents scratching of roof. I use freezer bag as it is thicker and only a single sheet as two sheets will slip on each other.