Cb Antenna
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Northern Calif
Cb Antenna
I want to install my cb in the Big X but not sure which type of antenna or mount. I have a 4 foot fire stick antenna but not sure where the best place to mount it is. I'm thinking of a magnetic type for the roof. That large flat area would make for a good ground plane. Let me know what your using. Thanks.
T, Moe
T, Moe
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
For efficiency, the roof mount and probably a k40 antenna/base. That's going to put the antenna in the middle of your ground plane so you will have roughly equal transmission power down the long axis.
Drilling the wiper cowl and mounting the antenna opposite to the FM antenna looks fairly clean as well.
I'd stay clear of glass mounts and mounting on the rear bumper (it's not a bad option, but the cowl would be better.)
Drilling the wiper cowl and mounting the antenna opposite to the FM antenna looks fairly clean as well.
I'd stay clear of glass mounts and mounting on the rear bumper (it's not a bad option, but the cowl would be better.)
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 60
If you want to get **** about it - mounting the antenna in the center of the roof is the best route. That way you have equal metal all around the antenna. You will not have an equal radiation pattern, but it will be symmetrical.
The best antenna (of the common ones, without getting crazy) is a 1/4w whip - 102" - on a grounded mount (bolted to the roof in this case). You can't beat it with your 4' whip. The full 102" whip has no loading = less attenuation = more power out. You still loose some power in the coax, but having an efficient antenna gets you that much further up in system efficiency.
In reality, and in every-day use going down the road, you won't notice any difference between an antenna mounted on your rear bumper, center of the roof, etc. Nor will you notice a difference between antennas.
Now, if you are in to seeing how far you can go on your little 4 watts and seek WEAK signals.. then you might notice a difference. Then, if you really get in to this stuff go up to Ham radio. I can talk all over the planet from my truck
(and several hundred miles on 1/4th of a watt - 250mW - try that on your CB).
Steve
The best antenna (of the common ones, without getting crazy) is a 1/4w whip - 102" - on a grounded mount (bolted to the roof in this case). You can't beat it with your 4' whip. The full 102" whip has no loading = less attenuation = more power out. You still loose some power in the coax, but having an efficient antenna gets you that much further up in system efficiency.
In reality, and in every-day use going down the road, you won't notice any difference between an antenna mounted on your rear bumper, center of the roof, etc. Nor will you notice a difference between antennas.
Now, if you are in to seeing how far you can go on your little 4 watts and seek WEAK signals.. then you might notice a difference. Then, if you really get in to this stuff go up to Ham radio. I can talk all over the planet from my truck
(and several hundred miles on 1/4th of a watt - 250mW - try that on your CB).Steve
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111,873
Likes: 153
From: Wharton, NJ
I was also thinking of adding my CB to the Ex and found this great antenna installation tip on the F250 pages.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...a_Install.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...a_Install.html
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
That's an awesome write-up. I used to have CB's in my vehicles, but haven't bothered lately because the vehicles have been new and there really was no place I liked the antenna. This definitely seems doable to me though. Thanks much.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 0
From: Macedon, NY
I moved from CB to Ham Radio years ago because I was embarrassed at what came out of the CB speaker on channel 19 when I had guests in the vehicle.
FWIW,
-JR
FWIW,
-JR
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 307
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From: Amherstburg, On canada
I dont think its dead so much as underutilized by the general public. I work at refinery and i run into more truckers and CB's than you can shake a firestick at. For most people - using them offroading in a group is a good use and is easier than cells for group communication
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
I use one of these on the drivers side hood channel. Cheap, easy and looks good.
FireStik SS174 Hood or Trunk Channel Antenna Mount Stainless Steel with Lug Terminal Connector SS-174
FireStik SS174 Hood or Trunk Channel Antenna Mount Stainless Steel with Lug Terminal Connector SS-174
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111,873
Likes: 153
From: Wharton, NJ
I use one of these on the drivers side hood channel. Cheap, easy and looks good.
FireStik SS174 Hood or Trunk Channel Antenna Mount Stainless Steel with Lug Terminal Connector SS-174
FireStik SS174 Hood or Trunk Channel Antenna Mount Stainless Steel with Lug Terminal Connector SS-174
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Northern Calif
Yeah that's the one I was looking for. Thanks for that. I know the tread on the F-250 is nice, and I still might think of that also. Where I go hunting and shooting there's always logging trucks flying down these roads, and they do post on trees what channel their on so you can find out if one is coming at you. The CB radio is not dead especially up here where cell phone's rarely work once you get into the tree's or mountains. Thanks for the help.
T. Moe
T. Moe
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
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If you want to get **** about it - mounting the antenna in the center of the roof is the best route. That way you have equal metal all around the antenna. You will not have an equal radiation pattern, but it will be symmetrical.
The best antenna (of the common ones, without getting crazy) is a 1/4w whip - 102" - on a grounded mount (bolted to the roof in this case). You can't beat it with your 4' whip. The full 102" whip has no loading = less attenuation = more power out. You still loose some power in the coax, but having an efficient antenna gets you that much further up in system efficiency.
In reality, and in every-day use going down the road, you won't notice any difference between an antenna mounted on your rear bumper, center of the roof, etc. Nor will you notice a difference between antennas.
Now, if you are in to seeing how far you can go on your little 4 watts and seek WEAK signals.. then you might notice a difference. Then, if you really get in to this stuff go up to Ham radio. I can talk all over the planet from my truck (and several hundred miles on 1/4th of a watt - 250mW - try that on your CB).
Steve
The best antenna (of the common ones, without getting crazy) is a 1/4w whip - 102" - on a grounded mount (bolted to the roof in this case). You can't beat it with your 4' whip. The full 102" whip has no loading = less attenuation = more power out. You still loose some power in the coax, but having an efficient antenna gets you that much further up in system efficiency.
In reality, and in every-day use going down the road, you won't notice any difference between an antenna mounted on your rear bumper, center of the roof, etc. Nor will you notice a difference between antennas.
Now, if you are in to seeing how far you can go on your little 4 watts and seek WEAK signals.. then you might notice a difference. Then, if you really get in to this stuff go up to Ham radio. I can talk all over the planet from my truck
(and several hundred miles on 1/4th of a watt - 250mW - try that on your CB).Steve
Steve, now you have to get rid of that Silverado and get an X!!!
Nice pictures linked off of your QRZ site. The island is awesome!! Can't be a whole lot of band noise there......
Bob - K9YH
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Saraota, Florida
I have a Wilson 1000 for my Conex radio and it is center mag mounted on the roof. I run the coax down the luggage rack and in through the rear door molding. Been there for ages and works perfectly. I key 1/2 watt and swing 250 easily and I use it a ton, hunting, 4 wheel fun, talkin conus skip yada yada yada.
Ian
Ian