Magnet Mount Question

You can call it good, but it is not good.
Three foot antennas are a poor radiator.
And magnet mounts are a compromise.
If this is going on a four wheeler, i would go with
a Wilson 5000.mag mount or better yet, DRILL THE HOLE.

 

The ugly truth is, the closer you get to 108 inch.
the better. But i would not go shorter than 4.5 or 5 feet.

 

kor b is right. 108 inches is the ideal length CB antenna. Yes we understand some can't do this and most won't do this. Thus the shorter "compromise" antennas.

If you must run a shorter compromise antenna, I wouldn't go anything smaller than the Wilson 1000/5000 (mag mount) or 2000 (trucker style). Both have 62" whips. Anything shorter and you're really hindering your range both in transmit and receive.

Both the 1000 and the 5000 are very good antennas. The only difference is the 5000 comes with better coax and a thicker coil, for running power. I can't speak on the 500 series.

 

I have two Lil' Wils, good enough for temporary installs if you don't need to talk very far. I have 1000s on everything else, but not mag mounts. Ran a 5000 mag mount, with a small linear, for awhile and it worked good. I've never used the 500, but if I were you I would go with the 1000. It is only 6 - 8 inches longer, which isn't much but I'll bet it will make a noticeable difference. I wouldn't spend the money on a 5000 unless I was gonna run a bunch of power thru it, and then I wouldn't do that in a mag mount situation to begin with. Unless there are compelling reasons to stay under 5', buy the 1000. JMHO

 

You'll be happy with the performance. I have one mounted on the left rear fender of one of my cars. One in the center of the roof on the pick up (ideal). And one I use/have used/use sometimes on the truck. Good antennas! (You will have to tune it unless you are just really lucky. I think they all come with about 62" whips.)