Just getting back into this. ?'s inside

Thanks turbo t. What I figured. Channel 6 is always busy, but there are many more as well.

Well after reading umpteen pages on here as well as many other sites and forums I have to ask the almighty question on the antenna. I want what will work best. Since it is the most important part of the radio right. When you look at the picture, I just propped the k40 next to the wilson for a comparison.

My setup is obviously on a company pick up truck. I have a aluminum tool box that my antenna is mounted to. I have it on the back side of the tool box toward the tailgate of the box, directly in the center of the vehicle center line. About 20" away from the back glass. It is also about 20" below the roof line where the mount is.

I currently have on a 4' firestick that is tuned. I also have a K40 Trucker that is tuned as well. I swap them out to see if I find any difference. I have found it hard pressed to tell a difference between the two. The coil on the K 40 is obviously below the roof line with only the 10" shaft. With all the reading I have done it seems that the fiberglass is supposedly the best route. As I have heard more efficient as well. Height is key as I know. So to get the best. I was thinking either go to the 5.5 francis, (which there are mixed reviews on) or possibly the wilson 2000 with the 22" shaft to get me above the roof. The 7' firestick is also in the back of my mind, but a little on the big size.

I am confused as to why the center loaded antenna's are so popular other than being able to handle the watts. Would you not want the coil at the top so that your signal is transmitted from the highest point? The coil is where the signal is transmitted from correct?

On average I say I pick up guys from around 3 miles out who are chatting. I would imagine that they are running their gains down as not to step on everyone's toes. The other night while traveling I was talking to a guy 8 miles ahead of me on some pretty hilly terrain.

I also tuned my antennas with 35 dollar meter picked up from a truck stop. With all the talk of how the cb radios meters are crap. On the radio meter it reads low. like 1.2 on the meter it is slightly higher, when the meter is hooked up to the radio and I double check it with the radio meter it will read the same as the meter. Take the meter out of the equation and it goes back down. If I get another antenna I will swing into the cb shop and have it done as I am sure they will have some better equipment.

Thanks in advance.

jenks