What CB antenna

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by TruckerPete1990, Feb 24, 2023.

  1. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Not sure why but this site crashes Google on my phone lol.
    But should I spend the extra money on a skip shooter or just a normal tune able 6ft?
     
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  3. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    Well the SkipShooter is the easiest to tune because of he nail sticking out of top, but longer is better and the 7ft SkipShooter will be right at 13'6' on a Cascadia.
     
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  4. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Ended up just ordering 2 5ft firestiks gotta match both sides lol
     
  5. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    You need a 75 ohm co-phased coax harness to do that. If there is already one in the truck and the truck isn't really old, I would replace the coax. All the trucks for the last 15 years or so run the coax thru multiplexers for the AM/FM/weather band. You may have an excellent SWR, but there will be so much signal loss you still won't get out very far.FWIW
     
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  6. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Only one will be active not both antennas. Just doing that so they match.
     
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  7. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Does this adapter hurt performance at all? 20230313_121857.jpg
     
  8. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    No, I have one in my set up to keep from bending the coax at the end. Had it for Decades.

    Edit:
    Let me clarify this, I’ve use it right off the back of the radio which of course would be inside the cab. I have no idea what it would do outside.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2023
    Reason for edit: Edit: add more to my post
  9. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    I had a heat sink clamp tool like this one...

    GC 9077-1 Heat Sink Clamp Tool - 0.67" - Soldering Aid - FREE SHIPPING | eBay

    I would clamp it on the center pin of the pl 259 and the clamp tool would absorb the heat from the soldering iron and protect the pl 259 connector, and then crimp the ground shield. I had bought it many years ago from radio shack, but I lost it. I haven't been able to remember what this tool was called, but now that I found it on flee bay, I better order it again. Thanks Mike for your post to remind me about this great tool.
     
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  10. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    When I first read your post, I thought you were joking. They recommend at least 2/3 of the antenna to be above any metal object, such as the back of the cab in your picture. It would be best for you to buy a top loaded antenna.
     
    Diesel Dave and Concorde Thank this.
  11. Night Stalker10

    Night Stalker10 Road Train Member

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    Some people say yes and others say no. I used one for years on my cobra cam 89 base station back in the 70's with no problem. Of course it was indoors out of the weather. On my outside connectors I use a jar of black rubber liquid tape. I buy it at Wally world. Don't use the brush that comes with it, or you'll get it it all over everything. I use a q-tip and apply a small amount around the seams of the connector where water may enter. Works great.
     
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