Cb antenna for a area with low hanging trees?

[Silver dude]

I had a 15" cobra magnetic mount wire whip antenna on my last expedition trip to Michigan.

However, after consistent whacks with tree limbs it snapped the whip right at the set screw mount and I was left with no antenna. Not wanting to go down the same road again what are my options?

Here are my requirements...

Quickly removable or fold able setup, I only use the CB on off roading trips and need to fit in a low garage every night. The Mag mount was perfect for me as I simply unscrewed the antenna from the mount and stored it in the seat pocket.

Must get good range, I'm aiming for at least 5-10 miles once tuned. My wire whip left some to be desired.

Survive tree beatings.



After viewing others setups I'm considering a hood mounted 2' or 3' Firestik with return spring. The only thing I don't like about that setup however is that its going to be constantly in my vision. But, I'm imagining that mounting near the hood would be better as it allows for greater flexibility and a lower profile away from trees.

Otherwise, I'm thinking a 2' firestik mounted to the roof rack with a really flexible spring mount. I would actually prefer it as it would be a less noticeable setup and wouldn't have a ugly hood bracket when tooling around town.

Are Firestiks easily removable? I see the coupler setups which are really nice however stacking them with a spring mount as well would make for a silly long mount.

I'm open to other antenna suggestions as well.

 

[gary in ohio]

Take a look at the maldol MK-30H motorized mount. It will raise and lower your antenna via a dash mounted switch. You can also find them under the Diamon or comet name brands, but its the same item.
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/hamantm/4219.html

If you want a big antenna check out the tarheel lift and lay system.
http://www.tarheelantennas.com/mounts

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: radio shack has the coil springs for the mag mount

If you have a mag mount, why do you remove your antenna from its base ???

I had the mag mt. antenna on my "06 Xterra and I just-LAYED IT DOWN ACROSS THE RACK when I was done and came home, it ain't going anywhere

Every time you remove it you messup the SWR

The top middle of the roof is the BEST antenna spot

:costumed-smiley-007:safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[KevinNY]

Just get a spring, problem solved. If you move it to the front, be sure to get an antenna that reaches above your roof line. I have had good luck with Firestiks.

 

[gary in ohio]

Every time you remove it you messup the SWR

The SWR should not change moving it a few inches or laying it down and the folding it back up.

 

[gary in ohio]

Just keep in mind if you use a spring then that length becomes part of the antenna and you will need to tune the antenna. Also be carefull in garages, Those antennas will find every nook and crany to get stuck in. I have pulled several antennas OFF the vehicle getting them hooked on garage doors.

 

[soonenough]

I see the coupler setups which are really nice however stacking them with a spring mount as well would make for a silly long mount.

I use a quick disconnect mounted on top of a spring with a 4' Firestik FireFly and haven't found that setup to be overly long; the whole thing is probably ~6" tall. If anything, it increases the height of the antenna, which should, in theory, help with range. As gary_in_ohio mentioned, the antenna needs to be tuned with all of this in place.

You could also look at an antenna fold-over if you don't mind having the antenna laying across the car while not in use.

 

[Silver dude]

:sombrero: radio shack has the coil springs for the mag mount

If you have a mag mount, why do you remove your antenna from its base ???

I had the mag mt. antenna on my "06 Xterra and I just-LAYED IT DOWN ACROSS THE RACK when I was done and came home, it ain't going anywhere

Every time you remove it you messup the SWR

The top middle of the roof is the BEST antenna spot

:costumed-smiley-007:safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

The mag mount had a brass bung that the antenna threaded into. A couple quick turns and I could remove it. I never would turn it on without the antenna. I remove the CB from the truck completely when tooling around town.

I really would like to do away with the Mag mount all together. It wasn't ridged enough to stay attached to the truck. A whack with a tree and I could hear the mag mount rolling and sliding on the roof. With the roof rack to guide it it would always remain standing. But, this time around I'm looking for a ridged more permanent solution.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I never want to give up my Wilson 1000. So here is what I have considered doing.

Bring a second little mag mount rubby ducky antenna with you and use a coax switch. It won't put out like the Wilson, but it will be fine to keep up with your buddies along the trail.

So when I would find low trees, I could just unscrew the tall Wilson antenna and switch to the little mag mount. (or you could get by without the switch, it just means more fussing at the back of your CB).

http://www.walcottcb.com/cs201-position-coax-switch-p-220.html <~switch


http://www.walcottcb.com/ms512m-inch-tall-magnet-mount-antenna-kit-p-881.html?cPath=28_352

.

 

[dbreid]

I too will never give up my Wilson. I basically can't stand cruddy CB reception, and it always kinda bugs me when other folks on trail rides can't talk to me because they decided a 3 inch antenna was enough. I have a pickup cab on my rock crawler, so I use the wilson mag mount, and if it crashes into a tree that is too low, then it slides off the back of the roof and into the bed. Then I reach back (sliding window) and slap it back on the roof.

Granted, I do not care about the paint on my truck, but I will put up with a lot to keep good signal.

Just my .02

 

[bc_fjc]

I switched to the Larsen NMO-27 after destroying every other CB antennas I've tried. I have been getting great performance mounted to the hood of my truck.