antenna watts question for the experts

the watts rating only means that the antenna will handle that many watts if you do add an amplifier. It doesn't mean that a 5000 watt antenna will perform better than a 1000 watt antenna all other things being equal. The most important things in antennas in mobile vehicles is height, (the higher the better), have it grounded well, and have the SWR as close to 1:1 as possible. The absolutely best mobile antenna you can get is the 102" stainless steel whip. It seems to me that would be perfect for an off road vehicle, the only problem with them for road driving is the height, (going through drive-thrus and multi-level parking lots). They are what all mobile cb antennas are based on and really one of the cheapest and the best and easiest to tune for the 11 meter cb band.

 

I concur with Chemcats comments.

How far can you get out now? A well tuned antenna and a barefoot radio is good for 5-10 miles on average, less than that if you're in the mountains or in a tunnel.

Also where did you have the antenna mounted? You want it dead center of the roof of the car for best results.

Another possibility is if the coil or coax has an open in it, the SWR's will go thru the roof.

 

Good greaf .......

And i think of my self as a power house on 2 meters with 160 watts .....