Need good antenna!

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by dmg1029, May 25, 2010.

  1. didntitellu

    didntitellu Light Load Member

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    Jul 31, 2007
    Ohio
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    There are a lot of people here with a lot more knowledge than I have. I recently decided to upgrade my antenea also. I asked around, talked to Steel Rods and Mikes. Both said hands down the Browning was the best thing out there. In my opinion (and I stress opinion) those are 2 of the best CB shops around. I trust them both completely. So I bought the Browning. It works great for me, maybe something else might do better but I am very pleased with my choice.
     
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  3. Xcis

    Xcis Medium Load Member

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    Jul 9, 2008
    Bridgeport, Pa
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    Dodgefan01, if your SWR meter reading is 3.0 or higher, you have a connection problem. A significant amount of your transmitted power is being reflected back at your radio. Really bad news. DO NOT USE THE RADIO!! You can very quickly damage the power transistors [some call them "the finals"] by operating the radio with a very high SWR reading.
    .
    With an SWR reading at 3.0 or higher, you have a connection problem. It is not the radio. Tuning the antenna will not fix it. I suggest you check the coax, antenna mount grounding and any possible break of the wire internally or shorting of the antenna.
    .
    Can you temporarily run a piece of known good coax from the antenna to your radio and recheck your SWR reading? If the SWR drops a lot, your coax is bad and needs to be replaced.
    . Can you replace the antenna with a known good antenna to eliminate the antenna as a possible faulty component?
     
  4. dmg1029

    dmg1029 Light Load Member

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    Jun 6, 2009
    Coeur d Alene, ID
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    I thought I would update this tread with what I decided on. First of all, that you all for the feedback and excellent suggestions. I bought a pair of 4' Wilson antennas. They are the fiberglass ones with the adjustable ends on the top. I was going to try the 5' ones, but they would have been too tall I believe.

    I also picked up a pair of mounts. I had no idea there were so many types of mounts. eeeks.

    So I am all set. I will be picking up my truck Monday. Will install the antennas and when at a CB shop, have them tune them for me. I will check the SWR from the radio to make sure there's nothing shorting out, etc..

    Thanks.
     
  5. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
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    I have never understood what dual antennas buys you UNLESS you are co-phaising them and that would be a nightmare on cb.
     
  6. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    Cophased works better on trucks. Oh and it is not that hard to tune them if needed.

    I ran the wilson 5 footers and they tuned perfect when I removed the tuning stub from them.
     
  7. kc0iv

    kc0iv Light Load Member

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    Mar 31, 2010
    Parkville, Mo
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    I think what WA4GCH is thinking is getting the phasing correct as well as the impedance. Each setup requirement is different. Just getting a low VSWR reading isn't enough.

    Leon
    (kc0iv)
     
  8. Dodgefan01

    Dodgefan01 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2010
    EAFB, AK
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    My coax is from radio shack so i'm not sure on the quality per say. And i'm looking to get a new "mag mount" antenna to mount in center of toolbox or on the roof for better transmissions.
    Is there a way to test the CB to see if it's already fried? I check ground by connecting pos. lead to power and neg. lead to antenna and there was continuity. So that tells me there's a good ground, right? Thanks for the helpful tips, much appreciated!
     
  9. NC Ghosthunter

    NC Ghosthunter Bobtail Member

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    May 31, 2010
    Concord, NC
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    Dodgefan01, Definitely go with a roof mounting location when using a base loaded mag mount antenna. This does 2 things, 1 it gets the coil out ouf the cab's shadow and 2 it gets the tip further away from your head. (EMF affect on the body)
    No need to go overboard on getting a high dollar antenna that will handle 1000w, one that can handle 300w will be enough. As for if your radio is fried? Most shops will do a bench check for free, then you will know if you are good to go, if it is worth fixing or if you just need to get a new radio. Even if you step up to a tuned Cobra 29 the same antenna setup should be fine.
     
    Dodgefan01 Thanks this.
  10. Dodgefan01

    Dodgefan01 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2010
    EAFB, AK
    0
    Thanks for the info. I don't know of any "cb shops" around here, that's why i was curious if there's a way i could check. Up here in AK, we miss out on a lot of the "little things".

    Thanks again..
     
  11. kc0iv

    kc0iv Light Load Member

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    Mar 31, 2010
    Parkville, Mo
    0
    If you are in the Air Force talk to one of the radio techs maybe he/she will check it out.

    Leon
    (kc0iv)
     
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