CB antenna ??!!

[SOAZ]

Where in town can I get a decent CB antenna??
I got one of the cheapo uniden radio shack radios and put it where my ashtray was on my 4runner. The antenna was a super cheapo that was all they had left at radio shack. When I went offroading with some folks here. I could here them, but they could not hear me from 50 yards away while at speed. Even when crawling I had a rediculously short range.
I'm thinking antenna. Any suggestions?
(p.s. are there SWR meters for cb radios like there are for ham)

 

[BogusBlake]

Skip Radio Shack.

I go to the truck stop for CB supplies. Get a TUNEABLE antenna from a company like Wilson or Firestik.

 

[SOAZ]

Okay, I may just buy online then. I was hoping to be able to check out one and make sure it fits my purposes.
(so if its tunable, would a normal swr meter work on it?)

 

[eugene]

I normal SWR meter should be fine since HAM bands are above and below the CB bands the SWR meter is usually made to cover a wide range.

 

[SOAZ]

cool thanks. I've got to get this thing working better before the nest run.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Did somebody say............SWR>?!!!!!!


This past summer I dumped my crappy Cobra CB antenna and got a sweet Wilson 1000 with mag mount.

Kevin (aka as Boston Mangler) had already loned me his SWR meter. That's when I figured out my Cobra was crap!

I tuned my new Wilson 1000 right down to the Prime number!

My radio now puts out 60+ miles line of sight. Best CB move I ever made!

I swear by Wilson now. This set up just saved my stuck but* this past weekend!

With CB's....it's ALL about the antenna.....and the (wait for it!).......SWR....!

Everyone! ...........Buy a SWR meter (no affiliation.....hehe) ........use it and tune it! You will be amazed! Study up on SWR. Not me.....the SWR Meter you silly!

DO IT!


Here is my story to prove it.......I need to log this story in over here at ExPo....but it's such a pain moving the pictures into the post.

Pandemonium in the Panamints...............

 

[SOAZ]

Thank you! I'm going to look up and price both of those. Any online site like www.hamradio.com for cb's. I want to get the best price I can!:bowdown:

 

[2500Adventures]

Walcott CB

Seem to have quite the selection of CB stuff

 

[JayP]

SWR that's a very nice ending to what could've been a disastrous outcome or a very long walk (your choice). It really got me thinking of how important a cb can be. On different note those are some fine folks you got to meet. I hope you get the truck running again soon.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

SWR that's a very nice ending to what could've been a disastrous outcome or a very long walk (your choice). It really got me thinking of how important a cb can be. On different note those are some fine folks you got to meet. I hope you get the truck running again soon.

Thanks Joseph!

Very kind of you!



.

 

[Pskhaat]

Ensure you check SWR both at the transmitter and at the antenna.

If you aren't getting a 1/4 wave antenna, go for as tall as you can stand, and try and get a center loaded vs. bottom loaded one. Place as high on the vehicle as you can with as much horizontally flat body panels as you can (roof).

Or...just take that Tech exam and move into the light.

 

[SOAZ]

I have the light. 2 meter. But I feel like I need the darkness since a lot of people on the trails still use CB. :safari-rig:

 

[Pskhaat]

LOL. Yeah, I know how you feel. It's really too bad the FCC has some CFR laws against using a non-type-compliant radio in CB freq's, no? Anyway, guess I didn't put it together that you were a Ham, so you obviously know about the antennas and types.

I still use my 1/4 wave whip.

 

[SOAZ]

No worries. I know nothing about the CB side of things and really very little about 2m except how it relates to racing.

I remember being in highschool with my little ford ranger. I had just put in some bigger coils. and I wanted to go to a buddies house and show off the lift. I must not have spent enough time tightening the lug nuts, because half way there on the freeway the truck was violently wobeling. I got off at crown valley and sat trying to figure out what to do with NO tools. I got on my little cb and started talking. A guy came on and said he was 50 yards away eating a burger and he would come over with a floor jack and tools and help me out!
I was so happy!
That one instance is why I kinda want a cb and 2m in my truck at all times. You never know whos listening!! :luxhello: