Antenna question

Part of what you run into is the fact that one has to make compromises with CB radio antennas. In this case, your truck is way up 'ere! Subject to hit things. The *best* antenna, one versus another, IS the 102" whip. The reason for that is, it is more near the actual 1/4 wavelength @ 27MHZ. (full wave @ 36 feet, 18 for 1/2 wave, 9 feet for 1/4). Usually, we can't have 36 or 18 feet EEEK!----or even that 9 foot whip floppin' around up there! SO to make up the difference, we use loading coils of various sizes to "shorten" it to a usable height. What happens then? Coils can make up difference, but they also introduce, to one degree or the other, resistance. Resistance= heat. Like....er, uh taking your finger and stopping up the end of a garden hose. This makes the "pressure" greater--useful for washing off your driveway, not so good for radio signals. Oh.......you might not notice too bad an effect, but its there. So, recognizing this, some makers build those humongous "Predator" antennas with the widely-spaced loading coils, you know, those big coil things that people think are really cool.. And they DO work better than....say, a firestick. Why? Because if you've ever seen one of those "stick" antennas cut open, you'll see eety beety little copper wire wound tightly around a small form. And if you look at it closely, it may remind you of that heater you have under your desk at home to warm yer feets. Again, tightly wound, skinny wire on a small "stick" looking thing. For your heater, you want that high resistance to produce that red glow; for your radio signal, no you don't!!!

With all that said, I hope it provides a simple explanation as to why the taller antenna would be better--not so much the length as the amount and type of loading coil it has. In any case, go with the longest antenna you can because it is usually more efficient!

 

I wouldn't think so...I'm not in PA.

 

Cb radio magizine did a ant comparision..
The big whip and the 10k faired about the same with minor differences,1 would do slightly better than the other in certain areas..
My idea is to have a shaft that mounts just like my 40" tall i have now..
Make the shaft longer say 50" and have the coil screwed directly into the top and a stud threaded at the bottom for ant stud and coax....That way its a sturdy mount,coil is way yp n away from cab and ground point and feed line are in same area....
Wish i could find someone who had ant modeling software that could build it and test before i spend $$ on the idea..

 

IIRC..you can download the basic eznec software for free. The advanced program cost some cash. I've not used it, and I would think it would take some time to learn how to use it.. but might be worth looking into if its something your interested in.

 

I got some programs that came with my arrl bible but im just as lost with those as i am the book..
Wouldnt hurt to have the ant software but learning it is another 20 yrs lol