New truck cb/antenna issues,why?

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by craig_sez, Jul 15, 2021.

  1. Autocarjockey

    Autocarjockey Bobtail Member

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    Without a proper counterpoise no antenna will work well unless it is a 1/2 wavelength design period.

    The MFJ dipole bracket is a great solution


    [​IMG]

    If you REALLY want maximum range you can use two 5/8 wave firesticks with this bracket
    and use a tuner to match it.
    Then you would have a "extended double zepp" which has more than 5Dbi gain
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2021
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  3. jdchet

    jdchet Medium Load Member

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    Oh boy...........

    JD
     
  4. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Lol...I can see your gears in your head a turning now bub..lol
     
    jdchet Thanks this.
  5. jdchet

    jdchet Medium Load Member

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    I've looked everywhere but I can't find any stinking counterpoise!

    JD
     
  6. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Chk in your dirty laundry bag,mighta left it in a pocket..
     
  7. BigJim63

    BigJim63 Light Load Member

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  8. Meteorgray

    Meteorgray Heavy Load Member

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    Ridgeline, I've seen you correct folks, including me, about the fact that a vehicle with a mobile radio is not properly called a ground plane or a counterpoise. Although using those terms is logical to many, as folks are trying to apply familiar terms to describe how the antenna works on a vehicle, they are not technically correct.

    I think you've also used the term / description, "second half of the antenna," in describing the function of the vehicle as it relates to the mobile antenna, although I'm not sure this is technically correct either...? Maybe it is.

    In the quote above, you're suggesting, I think properly, that the vehicle actually "acts like a capacitor" in the antenna function. So, the vehicle is serving as the capacitor from which the antenna gets its actual ground, which is the earth upon which the vehicle rolls.

    So, would calling a vehicle with a mobile antenna a "capacitor" be more accurate? If not, what should the vehicle be called when somebody is referring to it in relation to its function vis-a-vis the radio? Or, is such a term not possible and one should actually describe what it is instead of using a noun; ie, "the second half of an antennas" and/or "acts like a capacitor."

    Getting the terminology exactly correct for the technically minded is not easy for us more casual types.
     
  9. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    Some get caught up in the litteral...Well if a car or truck ect is not a good ground/counterpoise and doesnt work well ect ect ect,why does it work with some work and not others..
    It dont matter the wording as much as it does when some say this or that doesnt work yet its proven time and time again it works

    For some un explainable reason on the very same truck i drive now i had a 10k tuned,a 7ft skip shooter tuned and both worked really well..Now for some odd reason im struggleing to get a 102" on a riser to resonate where i need it to and reach as far as it used to..
     
    Meteorgray Thanks this.
  10. craig_sez

    craig_sez Road Train Member

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    To make such a set up work you would need to mount fairly high..All these new areo trucks have low mount position mirrors..Cant put a tuned 5 ft stick dipole on a low mirror .ount,gnd side will nkt last and to much reflect from top half..


     
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