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 I am looking for a CB antenna
#850349
12/05/07 04:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 147
OP
Wheeler
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I just want something decent, and not very expensive, but not a piece of crap, but I know nothing at all about what I am looking for, and any tips would be great. I will mainly be using it while on trails.
What are some brands, or specifications I should look for?
And how do I go about tuning the antenna? I want it to be done right.
Your road to glory will be rocky, but fulfilling.
- Panda Express fortune cookie
94 YJ. no lift...YET
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 Re: I am looking for a CB antenna
[Re: the_other_guy]
#850350
12/05/07 03:38 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,063
Body Damage is Cool
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I always used wilson antannas,but i never tuned them myself so i don't know what to tell you there.What I did was either have friends that spent alot of time with CB's or the near by truck stop tune it in.You really have to becarefull due to fcc regulations on how you tune your radio.Your best bet is to talk to someone that deals with them everyday,like a repairman at a truckstop.The one Iwent to had a special shop just for CB repair.
Being that you will be using it on trails the mountains,trees and such would pose a problem getting out so you will need a set up that will reach out.
out of all the jeeps in this town the d**n gremlin had to invade mine
I've done so much,with so little for so long i can practicly do anything with nothing
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Re: I am looking for a CB antenna
[Re: the_other_guy]
#850351
12/05/07 10:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 315
Mudrunner
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Its been a really long time but if I rememeber correctly, you want to get an antenna that is as close to the signal length as possible or half of it. Most metal whips are full wave antenna and it had been my experience that you can get half wave fiberglass ones that work well. The antenna is set up with an SWR meter which hooks between the antenna and the CB and measures how well they are working together. It measures the Signal to Wave Ratio and that like the antenna, needs to be as close to the wave lenght as possible. There are adjustments that can be made to the antenna that varies this. Unless you want to buy this meter, there isnt any real way to tell what the SWR is and you risk burning out your radio if its off too badly. Do as Cuervo suggested, go to a truck stop and ask, you might luck out and find someone that knows how and has the meter. Thats the scoop as I rememeber it, maybe I will stand corrected. Good Luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />
77 fiberglass CJ-7 304, Ground up Resto-mod Edelbrock Air Gap, Holley 1850, Headers and Flowmasters, Black Diamond suspension, BFG 33X9.50 on Outlaw I's. Hopefully on the road this year!
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 Re: I am looking for a CB antenna
[Re: hlhneast]
#850352
12/05/07 10:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,768
Web Wheeler
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I agree...check out truck stops.. Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />
professional bovine relocation specialist
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Re: I am looking for a CB antenna
[Re: hlhneast]
#850353
12/06/07 05:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,063
Body Damage is Cool
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Its been a really long time but if I rememeber correctly, you want to get an antenna that is as close to the signal length as possible or half of it. Most metal whips are full wave antenna and it had been my experience that you can get half wave fiberglass ones that work well. The antenna is set up with an SWR meter which hooks between the antenna and the CB and measures how well they are working together. It measures the Signal to Wave Ratio and that like the antenna, needs to be as close to the wave lenght as possible. There are adjustments that can be made to the antenna that varies this. Unless you want to buy this meter, there isnt any real way to tell what the SWR is and you risk burning out your radio if its off too badly. Do as Cuervo suggested, go to a truck stop and ask, you might luck out and find someone that knows how and has the meter. Thats the scoop as I rememeber it, maybe I will stand corrected. Good Luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> Wilson makes a fiberglass antenna that bends 180 degrees without breaking. which was great for me concedering how much wheeling i did in the woods. Also the received and put out better than the k 40(wilson metal whips). antannas have come a long way since the days even when i got into them.I do know that channel 1 and 40 have to have the same amount and to get it you may have to cut the antanna. ,but thats all i know. as i said I always had someone else do it.
out of all the jeeps in this town the d**n gremlin had to invade mine
I've done so much,with so little for so long i can practicly do anything with nothing
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Re: I am looking for a CB antenna
[Re: cuervo25]
#850354
12/06/07 06:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 147
OP
Wheeler
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alright. thanks for the advice, guys. There arent any truck stops too close buy, but apperantly there is a shop somewhere in town that can tune it for me.
Your road to glory will be rocky, but fulfilling.
- Panda Express fortune cookie
94 YJ. no lift...YET
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Tuning a CB Antenna
[Re: the_other_guy]
#850355
12/06/07 07:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3
Need a Spot
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Note: The following instruction assumes you have a 'stock' CB Radio that has NOT been modified and you are NOT using any kind of external power amplifier:
If your radio doesn't have a built-in SWR meter (many do), then hook-up the SWR Meter by pluging the antenna cable into the output connector on the meter attaching a 3' piece of coax between the radio and the input connector of the meter.
Next, tune your radio to channel 20. If you have a mic-gain, turn it all the way counter-clockwise (off). Set the meter to "Calibrate," then key the mike and turn the calibrate knob on the meter to align the needle with the right-side of the meter's scale. Move the meter's switch to "Read SWR" and note the reading. On a stock CB, anything less than 2:1 is acceptable.
Most SWR problems are NOT the antenna being out-of-tune. CB antennas are pre-tuned at the factory. If your SWR is way off, you probably have a grounding problem due to corrosion or improper placement of the mount.
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