New Antenna Time

Find a good cb shop and get your radio peaked and tuned.

 

No don't get the radio peaked and tuned, there is no reason for it until your get the antenna system checked and tuned up.

 

There's no such thing as shortcuts in life. Mastering your antenna system is going to be the most important thing you ever do to achieve your desired results. If you can't get 20 miles out of a stock Cobra 29 no amount of tweaking or tuning of the radio is going to compensate for your inefficient antenna system.

 

"IF" you had a Predator 10K and broke it hitting something, you wouldn't have had to buy a new antenna! The Predator 10K antenna's have a lifetime warranty so if you break it, they will send you replacement parts or a new antenna for FREE!

Plus, 5 mile radius is no problem with a Predator 10K... (provided you have it properly tuned and mounted in the correct place.)

 

“Where” to mount antenna on big truck is everyone’s problem.

Given that it’s a company fleet truck, the places that are both secure and able to produce results can be counted across a few fingers.

We are pretty much limited to available aftermarket antenna mounts.

So the best mount, the best antenna type (design & brand), and higher quality coaxial cable than is factory-provided is just about the end of it.

But as the Rabbi indicates, it’s still details that matter. Quality of installation work, for example.

Cable securement, weathertight seals, etc.

Then to power. Accessing 12VDC from a source not compromised by truck electrical noise. Proper supplies, tools and execution.

It all starts somewhere. Hasty work may provide nothing. Cause problems.

Some time in research and laying out a plan is the thing.

 

You failed to mention what type of truck you are driving and are you currently using the stock antenna mount and coax? From my experience the stock setup on a Volvo or T680 is average at best and Tx/Rx range will average around 5 to 10 miles, now if you are in a newer Cascadia you will want to use a seperate mount and coax for better performance.

 

Well obviously you are not driving a newer Cascadia or you wouldnt of been able to install a new antenna because the stock antenna is integrated into the roof.

 

Maybe now someone with experience with that particular truck can chime in with what type of setup will work best, Ive never driven one.