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Advice on current cb setup

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Apr 8, 2018 #1
    Metalshadow

    Metalshadow Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Mar 11, 2018
    Kansas City, Missouri
    0
    Greetings all, I wanted to get some input and advice on my current setup for my CB radio. I'm in a company Freightliner Cascadia, 2 K40 20k antennas, 18ft of coax each side, Wilson Cascadia antenna mounts, currently running a Cobra 29LTD chrome but upgrading to a galaxy dx 959 tonight and the Cobra will be moving to my car. Also I've got the Cobra S500 external speaker, though I was looking at the Wilson Chrome external speaker also. Thanks in advance everyone!
     
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    #1
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  3. Apr 8, 2018 #2
    mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

    3,155
    1,546
    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
    0
    Top loaded antennas work the best on the Cascadia. I used the 7ft Skip Shooter. Everything else I tried didn't work as well or even good enough to suit me, and I tried about every style.
     
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    #2
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  4. Apr 8, 2018 #3
    BigJim63

    BigJim63 Light Load Member

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    May 1, 2014
    Evansville In.
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    The Cobra speaker sounds better than the wilson imho.
     
    BigJim63, Apr 8, 2018
    BigJim63, Apr 8, 2018
    #3
    Metalshadow Thanks this.
  5. Apr 8, 2018 #4
    Metalshadow

    Metalshadow Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Mar 11, 2018
    Kansas City, Missouri
    0
    Can you explain "top loaded antennas" to me? I'm guessing like the k40s that have the oil cooler partway up? Also, I forgot to mention that I have an Astatic 636L noise canceling mic, and my antennas are angled about 30 degrees forward, originally I had been advised to angle them about 45 degrees forward but just couldn't commit to that. Didn't look right. Also, just got the Galaxy DX 959 installed and sound checked and sounds great XD no complaints at all. Now to have it professionally tuned and adjusted. No complaints about the Cobra external speaker either, but I do think that the Wilson speaker looks really nice with the chrome and all
     
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    #4
  7. Apr 8, 2018 #5
    mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

    3,155
    1,546
    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
    0
    The only top loaded antennas common today are fiberglass antennas. The only antenna without a coil of some kind would be the steel whip at 102" + spring (108" total) All those antennas you have mentioned are base or mid loaded. They don't work well on the Cascadia because you have to mount them too low to start with. The fiberglass whip antennas have load at the top. You can tell if you look at it by the wire under the plastic cover being would more tightly at the top than it is at the base. 45 degrees is too much lean. It might improve your swr, but it will cut your signal back too. CB antennas are supposed to be vertical, not horizontal. Less than 20 degrees is good and you can lean a little further to compensate for when your driving down the road at highway speeds. The absolute best option for your truck is the 7ft SkipShooter, or you could just go ahead and put a 108" steel whip on it and be done with it. You mentioned dual antennas. Did you run a co-phased harness for both those antennas? Are you using the factory coax?
     
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    #5
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  8. Apr 8, 2018 #6
    Metalshadow

    Metalshadow Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Mar 11, 2018
    Kansas City, Missouri
    0
    I'll have to keep my eyes out for the SkipShooter antenna. On the other side of all this, once I get my own rig like I'm wanting to, I plan on getting a Western Star and maybe a Kenworth before that, in case that's any better help as well. I've got a normal little coax splitter and 2 coax cables each 18' long. I hate to sound uneducated but you're over my head on the technical terms lol I'll get pictures when I go back to my truck here in a few. Should've thought about that earlier, my bad.
     
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    #6
  9. Apr 8, 2018 #7
    mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

    3,155
    1,546
    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
    0
    Doesn't sound like you have the right set up for dual antennas. You don't really need them. One good antenna and some good coax mounted correctly will do you just fine.
     
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    #7
  10. Apr 8, 2018 #8
    mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

    3,155
    1,546
    May 15, 2011
    NW Arkansas
    0
    I just saw you are from K.C. Exit 61 on I-44 at Hood's Truck Stop. A guy named Jim runs that CB shop and does installs as good as anybody in the business. I think he is open Tuesday thru Sat. I've got a number somewhere if you want it.
     
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    mike5511, Apr 8, 2018
    #8
    Metalshadow Thanks this.
  11. Apr 8, 2018 #9
    Metalshadow

    Metalshadow Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Mar 11, 2018
    Kansas City, Missouri
    0
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    #9
  12. Apr 8, 2018 #10
    Metalshadow

    Metalshadow Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Mar 11, 2018
    Kansas City, Missouri
    0
    I would definitely like that, much appreciated. I'll definitely have to remember that next time I head home
     
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    Metalshadow, Apr 8, 2018
    #10
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