CB Antenna

[Alpine Spirit]

Ok I have run a 3 foot Firestick for quite a while last year it snapped and so instead of buying a quality firestick I stopped by Radio Shack and got their 3 foot antenna.

Well let me say that 3 foot antenna from Radio Shack........... SUCKS!!!! I cant even pick up the NOAA station at the house.

So I went down to the CB Shop on Sheridan and Kentucky. He recommended a bit longer Antenna with a spring mount and I found the firestick I wanted any way. So now I have a 4 foot firestick.

This 4 foot Firestick ROCKS!!! Im picking up traffic and chatter I have never been able to hear in the area. The NOAA channel came in crystal clear before tuning it with the SWR. Its simply amazing!!

Now what keeps crossing my mind. Was my previous firestick properly tuned or is the extra 12 inches and maybe the spring really making my reception that much better?

[J_L]

Probably wasn't tuned correctly, an extra foot while helpful is still really short for an efficient CB antenna. It might help on the weather freqs though...

[Midnightblue54]

My question is where exactly do you have it mounted? I can't picture your X having a 4' tall boner off the roof.

The radioshack ones need tuning to be reliable and pick up traffic really well. I just assume get myself a Flexible 4' Firestik with a jeep mount here before I go to MOAB and tune it after I get back. I think your previous firestik just wasn't dialed in or something in the wiring wasn't right.

[Nissanclay]

Kev, I know there was a CB shop near my but I didn't know it was 5 min away!!! I drove the to truck stop on i70 and ward for my cable.

Anyway, I went there today and got a few parts. That shop rocks. All kinds of little parts that you won't find at a truck stop. I needed a quick diconect for my antenna (I couldn't fit in my car port with it on), an antenna mount, and the actual radio mount. He had everything and knew his shit. Its call "radio service center" and if you need any CB parts its you place to go.

Sounds like you got the same antenna as me Kev. Glad to know it works well. Still have to hook everything up. 9 days to go!!!!

[woody]

Well, lets see if this will help. What you gained in that extra 12" is about 1/32 of the wavelength. I know that cause I work with some signal geeks and they said the 14" antenna I have mounted is that signal length. So adding roughly that same number to your previous antenna, you gained ~1/32 wavelength. Longer is always better, but what does she know!

Did that help?

[the007forum]

thats the exact same antenna im running. weather always comes in good, but i need to tune my SWR for CB use.

[Alpine Spirit]

The CB antenna is mounted on my spare tire carrier on the back of the X.

I tuned this one the same as the other firestick I had. I had tuned that one every eight months or at least checked it to make sure it was still tuned.

Hey Woody yeah I had read that on the Firestick website and still baffled about the improvment.

Probably wasn't tuned correctly, an extra foot while helpful is still really short for an efficient CB antenna. It might help on the weather freqs though...

Yeah thats what I figured ... I did look at a whip though. LOL

[JBDevega]

ok how do you tune your CB anetenna, i rarely use mine because i cant pick up anything on it. I know its because its off tune but ive allways been unsure on how to tune it.

[Allen Cox]

I think I still have an SWR meter somewhere. I need to remount mine, I keep ripping it off!

Maybe Saturday Clayton, you can show me where the place is? I'll drive the PhoeniX over there and let the guy look at it and tell where I'm fubared.

[Nissanclay]

Its on the south east corner of Sheidan and Kentucky. They are open 10-2 on Sat and till 6 on the weekdays.

[Nissanclay]

Al, its not by my parents house.

[Alpine Spirit]

Setting your SWR.
http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/swr-intro.htm

Also if anyone needs it I will be bringing my SWR meter to Moab.

[Nissanclay]

I need! Tyler will have his to. Will I be able to use my CB with out tuning? Just wondering if I can use it in the caravan.

[bogof]

Does anyone have an extra adjustment bolt? When I got my antenna from a friend it was missing. Or does anyone know what would work as a replacement?

[Alpine Spirit]

Listening wont be the issue its transmitting you have to worry about. If you can I would try to tune it before hand.

[Allen Cox]

I think the tuning bolt is brass, isn't it? I seem to remember it that way, but it's been a while looking at it.

[Alpine Spirit]

Yeah brass or copper. But I dont know where you could get just the screw.

Maybe call that CB shop and see if he can send you one.

[Nissanclay]

Bogof, I bet the shop by me has it. What kind of antenna do you have? I'll swing by there and see. If they have it, I'll bring it to Gone.

Ty, want to try to tune my at the caravan meting place?

[bogof]

I'm pretty sure it's a firestik but it's in storage so I will have to check tomorrow.

[ChefTyler]

Sure thing Clay, we can get there early, and I'll have my SWR ready to go (seeing as I need to tune mine) :D

[Nissanclay]

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