cobra ltd29bt/wilson fgt-4

Too vague to say; too many variations in loaded steel CB antennas. BUT -- since you've already got a working CB antenna, use that for the CB and pick up a VHF antenna kit for the scanner. There are even on-glass antennas made for scanners that work OK (install it in summer or in the ladder truck bay, though...)

Here's a f'r-instance:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102468

or here's a simple magmount VHF whip kit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VHF-136-174-MHz...423?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483fb97687

As long as you're receiving, antennas are much more forgiving; that's why scanner antennas seem so broadbanded, even the ones that don't have trapped sections.

Dunno if you'd considered a magnetic antenna for the scanner, but it does make one less thing to attract ne'er-do-wells towards your car if you can toss it inside the car when get out.

And best wishes on your application at the FD. I started my career as a volunteer at age 16 in New Jersey, and ended up putting in 19 years full-time paid as a paramedic/firefighter, then another 10 at the State Troopers (not in NJ).

Hope that helped,
-- Handlebar --

 

ohhh i got it now, i noticed while riding for my internship that they all have small antennas on the roof of the engines. i have an offroad light bar on the roof of my pickup so i could install it up there and it would be perferct!

also my white fiberglass whip issue. im thinking its the raido and the coax, right now i have one whip hooked up and im hearing transmissions good, but im not transmitting well. i dont know the age of the raido, so my guess is it is very old and not working well at all. the coax came with the whip set, and it has a splitter for the antennas witch is not any good, so i need a scanner, two new rolls of coax, new cb small wip for the scanner, basicaly everything new.

heres what im thinkin
new cb, need a sugestion for around 100
scanner, need a sugestion for same
im gunna go with a glass mount antenna for the scanner, way slicker
two rolls of good coax

 

If I may:
Since you seem to be starting out in this, get a modest CB with a good track record, like a Cobra 25 or Uniden equivalent. Midland also has a couple that are OK. If space will be an issue, a Uniden Pro 520XL is small and still lets you adjust receive sensitivity. Put the rest of the CB money into a decent antenna.
Scanner -- something simple for now, go to eBay for one from someone whose area has recently gone to digital. There are lots of "analog-only" scanners showing up at great prices because of system "migration" to digital.
*One* roll of coax, cuz the scanner's on-glass kit already has its own. RG-58A/U with stranded center, non-foam insulation is great for mobile installations.

 

deerslayer, i would like to buy that off you but i dont know how i would arrange that. i live in nh and im sure you dont, so let me know your thoughts

and handlebar thanks for the advise. i will pruchase a digital scanner when the time comes and i will work on the cb first.

haha all my money is going to a gastank and stacks right now, few things i promised my self. my goal is to make this truck look as stupid as possable, im only 18 and its the second one ive had.

thanks guys

 

After re-reading this thread, I will offer the following suggestion to you. With SWR readings in the high 1's, you can leave well enough alone. That will not damage your radio in any way.
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Or, If you would prefer to lower that SWR, the problem is most likely the ground plane on that fiberglass vehicle. You will need to interconnect the major metal vehicle components into one large RF (radio frequency) ground plane.
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Before you spend your hard earned money on a new antenna, is it possible for you to borrow -- for testing purposes -- a different antenna to see if that makes a major difference? I doubt that a change of antenna will make much of a difference. I still belive it is a ground plan problem. I am not always correct; I could be wrong.

 

I have a cobra 29 bt w firestik 4 antennas cant get swr under 3 unless I open the driver door all the way open then swr is 2? help!

 

xcis
well as i herd befor the meeter on my radio is no good, so its hard to tell by just that reading. i havent had time to test it much with this reading, ive been just going to school/firestation/work for the past week and not much elese so i havent hit any one or had my cb on much, but i do think i could get another antenna to test with. no this groundplan ur talking about i dont understand much about it, i mean ive read about it but is it basicaly have to do with how high my antennas are? right now there attached to my toolbox in the bed and stick up a good ammount above the cab. and the coax im running is from the cb-splitter witch is not hooked into the first antenna-to the end itch is hooked into the antenna on the driverside